Justice Odili Saved my Political Career -Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has recounted how retired Justice Mary Odili’s prompt intervention saved his political career in 2004.

Wike recounted how he ran to Justice Odili when he learned that his name had been deleted from the list of those approved to run for chairman of Rivers local councils.

After listening to him, Wike stated that the retired judge brought the complaint to her husband, Dr Peter Odili, who was the governor of Rivers State at the time, and he acted on it promptly.

Wike stated this on Sunday during the 70th birthday and retirement thanksgiving mass of Justice Odili as Justice of the Supreme Court that was held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) in Port Harcourt.

Wike stated this on Sunday during the 70th birthday and retirement thanksgiving mass of Justice Odili as Justice of the Supreme Court that was held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa, (CIWA) in Port Harcourt.

“In 2004, at that time, her husband was the governor, so she was going to Bori Camp for the women empowerment scheme. I was to run for the second tenure as chairman of my local government (Obio-Akpor),” Wike said.

“Now, they were having lunch with her husband and the former State party chairman then, Prince Uche Secondus. And, I was told that my name had been removed from the list. So, I ran down to Government House.

“She had finished her own lunch, left her husband and was entering the vehicle. I said ‘Mummy, I’m finished.’ She asked what happened; I said they have removed my name.

“She ran back straight to her husband and informed him. Her husband asked who removed my name. At that time, Secondus had left. The husband then called the security at the gate, they stopped Secondus and asked him to come back.

“That was how I went back as second term chairman. For me, I can’t talk about my growth without mentioning her. If she was not around that day, to see the governor, you know, is not an easy thing. Her being around that particular day saved my career in politics. And so, that was how I grew from there to become what I am today.

Source: dailypost.ng