By Egufe Yafugborhi

Former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, has called on all Rivers people, irrespective of political affiliation, to totally support Governor Nyesom Wike, to consolidate the rapid rise of a new Rivers State.

This came as the  Chaplain of Our Lady of Holy Chaplaincy of Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIWA, Rev Monsignor Pius Kii, said   that lowest point in the 70 years of former Rivers State Governor,  Odili was when his political godson, also a former governor of the state, attempted to destroy his political life through a kangaroo Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Both leaders spoke at the special Thanksgiving Mass to mark the 70th  birthday celebration of Dr Peter Odili organised by the Rivers State Government  at  Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, CIWA, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Odili said: “Let me use this opportunity to urge our people, all Rivers men and women, our chiefs and the entire political class, everybody that is proud to be identified and called a Rivers man or woman, to give your total support to Governor, Wike.

“I am not saying it from a political position.  I am talking from the position of an elder-statesman.  This is because, with his leadership, we can achieve total cohesion and unity of our people. Once that is achieved, the sky is the take off point for the New Rivers State that he is building.”