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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has handed the keys of a multi-million naira mansion to former governor of the state, Peter Odili, as birthday gift.
Odili was Rivers State Governor between 1999 and 2007, when Wike was Chairman, Obi Akpor Local Government Area.
At a ceremony organised by the Rivers State Government to mark the 74th birthday of Odiili in Port Harcourt, Wike eulogised the former governor for the role he played in his emergence as governor of the state.
He explained that Odili had enlightened him on the possible outcome of his ambition and prepared his mind ahead for the betrayal by allies.
Wike also said he was not surprised at the current happenings around his political career because he was well prepared for a worst-case scenario before executing the ambition to be Nigeria’s president.
He described Odili as a true leader of men who groomed many, and supported a lot of persons to political limelight, particularly in Rivers State and across the country.
“There was a time every political class abandoned Dr. Odili. This is a man who gave us everything. Some people called him Mr. Donatus. There was no abuse he did not get. Everybody he tried to help their families, at the end of the day, all betrayed him.
“For us, we have used him as a school and we thank him for making himself available for us to use him to learn so that we won’t be shocked by whatever is going to happen,” Wike said.