Posted by By LOUIS ODION on
Guess where Governor Peter Odili would spend the night of May 29? Port Harcourt, of course!After the scheduled power hand-over that day to Rivers State governor-elect, Sir. Celestine Omehia, the out-going governor plans to retire to the comfort of his Port Harcourt GRA residence, a modest one-storey building.
Guess where Governor Peter Odili would spend the night of May 29?
Port Harcourt, of course!After the scheduled power hand-over that day to Rivers State governor-elect, Sir. Celestine Omehia, the out-going governor plans to retire to the comfort of his Port Harcourt GRA residence, a modest one-storey building.
The out-going governor, however, has a burning wish: "For once in the last eight years, I hope I would be able to have un-interrupted sleep, have a good rest and be spared the burden of having to keep attending to stream of people almost constantly as it has been these past eight years, so that one can unwind back to private life."
Odili's revelation was made to Saturday Sun at the weekend. It comes against the backdrop of wild reports that most of the out-going governors had perfected plans to flee the country on or before May 29 to evade possible clamp-down by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which had announced a resolve to swoop on elected public officers against whom petitions are pending once they lose constitutional immunity.
Specifically, EFCC boss, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that the Commission had uncovered plots by serving public officials to flee the country, disclosing the agency had mounted surveillance at the airports, seaports and borders ahead May 29. Besides, he said he is in league with the authorities in key western nations with a view to ensuring such public officials are denied sanctuary.
"I can't speak for my other out-going colleagues. I can only speak for myself. Run to where? I can't run from Rivers or Nigeria," Odili told Saturday Sun emphatically. "I love Rivers State. I love my local community to, for one brief moment, even entertain the thought of leaving the country for any reason.
'Once I finish with the handing over ceremony on May 29 by the grace of God, I will retire to my Port Harcourt residence to have a deserved rest. I can't wait for that day. After the ceremony, I will just drive straight to my house. We did our best to serve the people of Rivers.
We believe that posterity will appreciate our own humble efforts towards advancing the human condition in this part of the world."
Last year, eyebrows were raised across the country in the countdown to the December national convention of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the withdrawal of the Rivers governor from the jostle for the party's presidential ticket.
Widely acknowledged in political circles as a "formidable force with broad national appeal", Odili easily ranked among those initially rated highly to clinch the PDP ticket. There were speculations that the presidency, brandishing a "damaging dossier" through the EFCC, had to force his withdrawal to clear the coast for an easy ride by President Olusegun Obasanjo's favourite (Governor Umar Yar'Adua of Katsina State).
But the Rivers Chief Executive said he is not scared, insisting that his withdrawal at the national convention was in deference to a directive of his party, dismissing the graft allegations as the usual ranting of political detractors and mischief-makers.
Asked his next step after office, Odili says he hopes to return to his professional calling: 'I am a trained a medical doctor. I hope to go back to serving humanity through medical practice."
What future political aspiration? He waxes philosophical: 'Today we can see, tomorrow is in God's hands. Only God can decide my next political move."
Odili has kind words for the president-elect, Governor Umar Yar'Adua of Katsina State: "The president-elect is a friend and colleague. Well, we shall continue to offer our humble support in whatever way we can. We remain committed to the ideals of PDP as a party in words and deeds.
We don't just preach, we also match words with action. Don't forget we in Rivers return the highest number of votes to PDP in the last presidential elections. It is a testimony of our commitment to PDP as the best vehicle to actualizing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Nigeria."
On his regrets as he bows out of office, Odili retorts: 'Looking back, I would say the only regret I have is that we were unable to solve all the Rivers problems. We wish we were able to solve all the problems. It is impossible to win all the battles. But honestly, we believe the posterity is there to judge that we made spirited efforts in our own humble ways."
Legacy
'That is a difficult question to answer. But then, I think we have a lot to thank God for. The mass of the Rivers people whose lives we have touched positively will always remember us for good. I think our greatest source of joy is that we have succeeded in laying a solid infrastructural base for a sustainable socio-economic growth and development of Rivers State. We have restored the pride of the Rivers man. Is it in the power sector, healthcare, education, housing, roads, economic empowerment of the people, you name it. Today, the human development index of Rivers State has improved tremendously compared to what we found when we came in in 1999. Despite the peculiar terrain of our area in the Niger Delta, we have been able to build several thousands of kilometres of roads. When we came in 1999, we met empty treasury, but we are handing over huge cash reserve for the in-coming administration. In addition, we are bequeathing a robust investment portfolio for the in-coming administration in excess of N40 billion in shares in blue chip companies."
Life after office
"I am a trained medical doctor. I was in active private practice before I ventured into politics. I hope to pick up my stethoscope again and continue my practice."
Epitaph
"On how I wish to be remembered? As a man who came, met a lot of challenges, prayed to God for His grace and guidance, did his best to positively change the human condition of the society he found himself and left an enduring legacy for posterity."
Advice to successor
"My advice to my successor, Sir. Celestine Omehia, is that he should keep Rivers a united family. Today, Rivers speaks with one voice at the national arena. I have confidence in the ability of the governor-elect to continue in this tradition. In terms of performance, I expect him to be a better governor. In fact, I envy him in that we didn't have the advantages he has today when we were coming in in 1999. We met empty treasury. He is inheriting a surplus. I want to assure him that we will always be available to render whatever assistance he may require of us. I urge our people, the people of Rivers to work with him devotedly. I have always known him to be a very focused, God-fearing, brilliant and humble person. I believe these sterling qualities will propel him to succeed and even surpass the level we attained."