In Rivers State, every politician who is somebody today is a product of the Restoration Family founded by Dr. Peter Odili who governed the state from 1999 to 2007.
Since Odili left the Brick House in 2007, every other occupant of the Government House which was also built by the Ndoni born political tactician have been students of ‘Odilinomics‘ directly or indirectly.
Celestine Omehia, Chibuike Amaechi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike who all became governors of the oil rich state were all members of the Odili Restoration Family.
Sim Fubara who is now suspended as governor is the only one since 2007 who is not a direct scion of the Odili political family.
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However, the centrepetal and centrifugal forces inherent in politics have had significant effect on the followership of ‘Odilinomics‘ as the membership became scattered into different camps as they seek socio-political salvation.
Amaechi was the first key member of the political family to break away when he formed the Believers Family on return from exile in Ghana and pulled many young politicians away into the group.
He also later abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which birthed the group ab-initio and pitched tent with the All Progressive Congress, (APC)
Other members of the Restoration Family like former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, former Transportation Minister Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Governor Celestine Omehia, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, etc had kept faith in the Family and in the PDP.
The solidarity and support of the aforementioned political heavy weights was a key factor in the victory of Wike in 2015 when Amaechi fronted Dakuku Peterside of APC against Wike in the governorship election.
But the bubble burst between Wike and the rest when the FCT minister lost the presidential primary of the PDP to Atiku Abubakar and wanted everyone in PDP in the state to stand against Atiku’s candidacy.
Their refusal to toe Wike’s path led to their parting ways with Wike as they stuck with the PDP and supported Atiku’s presidential bid.
However the group bounced back and lined behind Siminalayi Fubara when the Opobo born governor and his benefactor, Wike fell apart.
The eventual reconciliation of Wike and Fubara occasioned another parting of ways as the group withdrew from Fubara and now coalesced in the wave making African Democratic Congress, ADC, marking a reunion with Amaechi after many years in different political camps.
The mission of the Odili men is predictable – to pull Rivers State out of the firm grip of Wike who has positioned himself as a colossus, dictating the pace of politics in the state having gained control of both the PDP and APC.
But can the Odili men succeed in dislodging Wike and once again assume political control of Rivers State?
Analysts say it is a tall order except there are sweeping reforms in the nation’s electoral system, providing a level playing ground for all players. Amaechi who is the South South leader of ADC even alluded to the urgency of reforms when he bemoaned that Rivers State is notorious for writing election results.
That was during his first interface with supporters and Rivers people on arrival to the state after he emerged leader of ADC in the South South.
Addressing the supporters on arrival at the Port Harcourt International airport, Amaechi charged the people to resist rigging, saying the state has been noted for perpetrating electoral malpractice where leadership goes to undeserved persons.
Interestingly, Wike is a very ‘rough’ player in the game who believes that the end justifies the means. He belongs to the school of thought who believes in winning anyhow from the ballot, and then prepares to meet the opponent at the court where declared results are rarely upturned against him.
Some observers even went as far as berating Amaechi for his lamentations over his claim of lack of integrity in elections conducted in the state, urging him to rather find a means of taking the wind off the sail of Wike and puncture his strategies for manipulating election results.
Another advantage Wike has according to analysts is the array of followers he has who are still very actively engaged in the government system. The minister has strategically placed many of his loyalists in federal agencies and departments that is keeping them buoyant financially, hence they will be better placed to influence the electorates through hand outs and other means.
On the other hand, the Odili/Amaechi team is made up of politicians who are largely depending on their private businesses and may not have the war chest to make much impact on the electorates to sway their support.
“The only thing going for anyone standing against Wike in any future election in the state is the near general feeling of repulsion against the minister for his role in the political situation in the state
“In as much as there are some people around him benefitting from the political quagmire, about 80 percent of Rivers people would not want to have anything to do with the minister or anyone associated with him for that matter because of what his greed has caused Rivers State”, one observer told The Trumpet.
All eyes are on the leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to see how far they could push this narrative and convince Rivers people to reject Wike and again be ready to protect and defend their votes going forward.
Above all, reforms in the electoral system will go a long way in conferring legitimacy to the electoral process and bolster trust in the system by all stakeholders. The ball is in the court of the National Assembly.
