Wike Rejects Apology Call, Says Peter Odili Cannot Kill Him Over Rivers State Rift
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly rejected calls for him to apologize to former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, amid their ongoing conflict with Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State. Speaking during a New Year luncheon at his home in Obio-Akpor on Friday, Wike expressed defiance against accusations and claims that he had disrespected Odili.
Wike, who has recently been involved in a heated dispute with Odili over the Rivers peace deal endorsed by President Bola Tinubu, stated that he had done nothing wrong. He dismissed suggestions from some Rivers elders that he should apologize to Odili, insisting that he would not be bullied into making an apology.
“They said I should apologize; for what?” Wike remarked, refuting any wrongdoing on his part. “I didn’t say anything wrong. You cannot kill me for what I didn’t say.”
Wike also addressed the allegations made by Odili, asserting that he was not the one to blame for the situation in Rivers State. “The man who is converting Rivers State to a personal estate is you, and to crown it up, you are now the general overseer,” he added, criticizing Odili’s leadership in the state.
On the issue of peace negotiations, Wike argued that Odili’s refusal to heed President Tinubu’s advice to foster peace in the state was inappropriate. He stated that instead of seeking peace with Governor Fubara, Odili disobeyed the president’s directive.
The former governor also called out Odili for making contradictory statements, and reiterated that if Odili had denied the remarks attributed to him, he would have been open to an apology. However, as Odili had not denied making the statements, Wike stood by his position, maintaining that no apology was necessary.
