The reports as published in one of the national dailies where it credited a statement made by former Governor Peter Odili to the effect that he regrets supporting Gov. Amaechi as governor has been described as that of a man who lacks what to say in the face of glaring evidence against him.

The former governor who is an elder statesman, though in absentia having abdicated his throne and abandoned his responsibilities for almost eight years, rather than own up to his failure to lead a united PDP after his exit as governor is regrettably trying to save his face and point accusing fingers in the wrong direction

During his first public statement after accepting the cosmetic amnesty offered him by President Jonathan into his government, the former governor tried hard to convince his visitor, Nyeso Wike that the governor is to blame for the crisis in Rivers PDP which led to the exit of Amaechi to the APC.

Odili should have been bold enough to admit that he handed over a crisis-ridden PDP to Amaechi.
The problem with the party started during the succession period when he allowed members of his immediate family to meddle with the choice of who becomes his successor. That set the tone for a major divide within the Odili political family of PDP. That eventually snowballed into the monster that almost denied Amaechi of his mandate as the elected candidate of the PDP.

All those who had their hopes raised by Odili's family members became enemies of the governor as they were disappointed. This can be confirmed in Odili's book titled, 'My Conscience'.

Prior to this period, the party was bedevilled with internal crisis which led to the exit of the likes of late Chief Marshall Harry to the rival ANPP. Many other elders of the party particularly those from the Riverine and Ogoni areas were practically chased out from the party. The circumstances which led to the deaths of Marshall Harry and Chief A.K. Dikibo, two founding fathers of the party, of Ijaw extraction are very much closely associated with the crisis in the PDP.

As for supporting Amaechi to become governor, it was unfortunate that though he began with him, after some time, Odili reneged on his promise. He didn’t finish with Amaechi, barely few weeks into the suit at the Federal High Court. It was Odili who later contracted Emmanuel Okala, SAN, as counsel for Celestine Omehia, this was after helping Amaechi retain the services of Lateef Fagbemi, SAN as his Counsel in the matter.

While Nyesom Wike and Uche Secondus sought to hijack the party structure from Chief G.U. Ake, Odili’s benefactor, what was the former governor’s reaction? He watched and waited until the party crumbled.
Odili probably was happy during the NGF face-off with the President because that would afford him the opportunity of slipping to the camp of the President with the help of Wike.

As for Odili’s statement on respect for elders in the party during his time as the leader of the party, I must ask whether he referred to the likes of Chief Marshall Harry, Chief A.K. Horsfall, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, Chief Sergeant Awuse, Alabo Graham Douglas, Chief Anabs Sara Igbe, Chief Ombo Isokrari, Chief Monday Mgbor, Chief Rufus Ada George and several others he chased away from the party. Not even his major financier for governorship and brother, Chief Victor Odili was spared of his excesses. Many left for other political parties or remained silent in the PDP.

On the contrary to Odili's claims, Amaechi inherited a crumbled umbrella which had hitherto before his victory at the Supreme Court, had suspended him!

Godstime Orlukwuh, President, Rivers Success Movement, writes from Port Harcourt. He can be reached via riverssuccessmovement@yahoo.com. Photo shows Peter Odili.

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