The crisis rocking the oil-rich Rivers State took a different turn on Friday as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, slammed Dr Peter Odili, over claims that he is turning the state into his personal property.

Odili, a two-term governor of Rivers State, accused Wike, also an ex-governor of the state, of self-interest.

Odili who spoke at an event in Port Harcourt on December 28 commended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for preventing Wike from turning the state into the latter’s private estate.

“It is now over 12 months, since the 25th October 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Governor Fubara over the soul of Rivers State,” Odili said.

“With assuring fortitude, Governor Fubara confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the State as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as it used to be until he left office in 2007.”

But speaking at a luncheon in Port Harcourt, Wike fired back at the former governor. He denied converting the oil-rich state into his private estate.

“I never said so. I paid money for Rivers people to be medical doctors. I am trying to make Rivers State the medical hub of South-South Nigeria. How did I now come to convert Rivers State into a personal estate?” Wike questioned.

“I am the best governor that Rivers State has ever produced. How did I convert Rivers State as my personal estate? And people will not answer simple question.”