45 Rivers elders back Wike, knock Odili over ‘disparaging’ comments

The council, in a statement, signed by 45 prominent elders, including Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Emmanuel Anyanwu, and Senator Magnus Abe, described the recent comments made by a group of concerned elders as “puerile” and lacking in courage.

The council also questioned the motives of the concerned elders, alleging that they were individuals who had worked closely with Wike but now parading themselves as supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The elders council noted that despite Dr. Odili’s active role in the current Rivers State crisis, Wike had never made any adverse remarks against him, due to the deep respect he had for Odili.

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It however condemned Dr. Odili’s disparaging statement about Wike, made at a Christmas carol service to the effect thet Wike wanted to capture Rivers State as his private estate, as unacceptable.

The statement reads: “We consider it unfortunate that the comments came from elders who lacked the courage to let the public know what prompted the remarks by Nyesom Wike.

“Did Dr. Odili deserve respect in return for being deliberately disrespectful to the Minister of the FCT? The answer is no.

“Dr. Odili, an elder and former governor of Rivers State, should not have thrown decorum to the wind in making statements in his quest to please the governor, who was his Special Guest of Honour at the event, no matter what the incentive may have been.”

The council advised the concerned elders to summon the courage to advise Dr. Odili to be more circumspect in his utterances in the future.