Former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili has refuted a statement published under his name that was a purported reply to comments made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The story Odili refuted was an article published by an individual named Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo, which was written in the form of a “dream conversation” or imagined response from Odili to Wike’s public criticisms.
Key Details
The Alleged Story: The article, titled “Wike replied to Dr Peter Odili!!!”, was framed as a strong rebuttal from Odili against Wike, in which Odili was quoted as calling Wike a “little rascal” and accusing him of using public funds for personal gain. The author, Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo, clarified at the end of the piece that it was a fictional “dream conversation”.
Odili’s Refutation: Dr. Peter Odili, through his official channels, debunked the story, stating that it did not originate from him or his aides. He emphasized that such a write-up would not be released without his approval and urged the public to disregard the “fake news”.
The Context: The incident occurred amidst a significant political feud between Nyesom Wike and the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom Odili has publicly supported. Wike had previously criticized Odili for “siding” with Fubara and questioned Odili’s status as an elder statesman, leading to various social media reactions and imagined scenarios like the one Sotonye published.
Sotonye’s Role: Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo appears to be a political commentator or concerned citizen who published his thoughts on the Wike-Odili dispute in an opinion piece format. The confusion arose when others circulated his piece as an actual statement from Odili.
