Human rights lawyer Prof Chidi Odinkalu criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for questioning his moral grounds to criticize him. Odinkalu accused Wike of using gestures to influence court judgements, referencing instances where Wike gave SUVs to judges and awarded contracts to former court officials.
The recent court verdict blocking federal allocations to Rivers State sparked the exchange between the two. Wike responded by questioning Odinkalu’s qualifications and performance as NHRC chairman. Odinkalu fired back, calling Wike a “greedy glutton” who should not lecture on ethical conduct.
He criticized Wike’s political career and behavior, accusing him of being intoxicated by power and public money. Their dispute highlights the ongoing power struggles and issues within Nigeria’s political landscape.
He tweeted, “In Abuja, @GovWike is flexing. He is a #LifeBencher inebriated on substance which may or may not be just power. He can buy whomever he wants with public money to do whatever he desires. But even that has a shelf-life. This idiocy will end one day too.
“One more thing, unlike @GovWike, I have a life outside messing about with the #PublicPurse. I left @NhrcNigeria 9 years ago & I have no interest or desire to maintain “structure” there. A greedy glutton has no business giving lectures on the virtues of being teetotal!”
Furthermore, Odinkalu took to his LinkedIn page early Sunday morning to slam the minister, questioning his credibility as a public servant.
In the post, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said, “#NyesomWike became a member of the Nigerian Bar Association HQ in 1991 & promptly mistook #TheBar for an invitation to get hopelessly drunk.
“In the same decade, he embarked on a political career beginning with local government.
“In the 25 years since he first held public office as the Chair of Obio/Akpor LGA in Rivers State in 1999, Mr Wike has held various other positions in succession as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State; Minister of State for Education; & 2-term governor of Rivers State.
“In Aug. 2023, he became Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Over this quarter century, Mr Wike evolved into the quintessential #GovernmentIndigene
“He has emerged as the #GreedyGlutton of the Nigerian political space, bingeing on every beverage the country can offer: power, public money, the judiciary, treachery, violence, vintage alcohol & lots more.
“Inebriated as he is with substances financed by the #PublicPurse, Mr Wike now thinks he must be #WorshippedAndGlorified. But #Nigeria is not his grove & we did not escort him to the country.
“His gluttonous lips have done enough damage being perennially clasped around #Nigeria‘s sovereign #FeedingBottle,” he said.