The Devilish Allegations

1. The emergence of armed conflict over the years predates 1999. They were essentially associated with chieftaincy and territorial issues. With the rise in oil relevance to the national economic dimensions, the relationship of oil companies with the communities around fields/pipelines and lucrative business of illegal bunkering – all came together to create the situation that we are facing today. The major flash points were usually oil bearing communities e.g. Okirika, Ogu-Bolu, Kalabari Land (Cawthorne Channel), Ogbakiri, Abua – Odual etc. All these communities have access to waterways.

I have neither been in bunkering business nor do I have interest in community or chieftancy problems anywhere. I therefore had no need to raise or support any armed group . I challenge anyone who thinks I armed anyone or supported any armed group to step forward publicly with his evidence.

•  Chief Marshal Harry: From 1998 when we first met, we enjoyed a very cordial and friendly relationship. When I got elected in 1999, he was the State Chairman of the Party and we related very well. We disagreed over the issue of Govt/Party relationship and Patronage. I still supported him to become our National Vice Chairman. Our relationship got strained and he eventually left the party. We however got reconciled through the intervention of two of our revered Royal Fathers, and we resumed our cordial relationship quietly since he was by then the National Vice Chairman of another political party. The last contact I had with him was before he traveled abroad. I was rudely shocked to hear of his brutal death one early morning (05/03/2003). I had no idea that he was back to Nigeria . I deny, in the name of God, that I had anything whatsoever, to do with Marshal Harrys Death. The trial of the suspects for his murder is going on in Abuja .

•  Chief A. K. Dikibo : Chief A. K. Dikibo was a very close family friend and we had enjoyed a political relationship since 1996 when we were both in the then DPN (Democratic Party of Nigeria). I showed him great appreciation and on the exit of Marshal Harry from the PDP, I supported him to become the National Vice Chairman (South South) of the party. As a result of that appointment, he spent most of his time in Abuja . We had no personal quarrels or disagreements whatsoever. I was devastated to hear via a phone call from his nephew (Soe Dikibo), who was then a commissioner in the State Executive Council, at about 10-11 p.m that Chief AK Dikibo had been killed on his way to Asaba. Soe Dikibos call came from Yenogoa where he said he was attending a wedding. We sent off a team to Asaba immediately Soe got back to Port Harcourt . I deny in the name of God, any knowledge or role whatsoever in the death of Chief A. K. Dikibo.

As a result of his high profile, a Federal Government Investigation Panel was set up following his death. I understand that the trial of his accused suspects is on-going. My prayer is that God will expose and bring to judgment the killers of the great sons of Rivers State . Our prayers and support will continue to go to their families.

What did Odili do with all the MONEY?

Total receipts from 1999-2007 = N708.3 billion

•  We approved and paid the controversial 3500 minimum wage on assumption of office and when 7500 was proposed, we were the first state to pay.

•  Our judicial staff were about the best paid in the Federation and they were independent.

•  Our Legislature was independent and operated their own finances.

•  We declared free education at primary, junior and senior secondary school levels.

•  We increased tertiary levels bursary by over 400%.

•  We sent close to 500 students abroad on scholarship.

•  We sent a large number of graduates on post graduate training abroad.

•  We declared free health care for children under six and for adults over the age of 60.

•  We introduced free Caesarean Section for Emergency deliveries.

•  We built roads in every local government area and indeed took on some of the most ambitious intra state roads. – The Unity Road and the Trans Kalabari roads are two major examples.

•  We built new schools and renovated most old ones.

•  We renovated old hospitals and built new ones especially the specialist Braithwaite Memorial Hospital and the Ubima General Hospital .

•  We installed mono-pumps in most wards in the state.

•  Our independent Power Programme is second to none in the country. We have put in place enough generating capacity for the state for years to come.

•  We distributed over 400 transformers throughout the state.

•  We installed gen. sets in remote locations awaiting our IPP.

•  All our successor needs to do is to complete the transmission which is over 80% completed and distribute to homes.

•  We built the 132KV 270 kilometers Double Circuit Transmission line through a most difficult terrain in the state from Omoku to Port Harcourt .

•  We built distribution power lines within the state.

•  We pioneered the use of, and installed solar street lighting systems from the Omagwa international airport to the city and some major streets.

•  We rebuilt at great cost the Port Harcourt Airport Road

•  We built the Olu Obasanjo Airforce base – East west Road bypass.

•  We build the Elelenwo, Woji, and a host of other bridges connecting communities.

•  We procured over 120 luxury buses for free school bussing and public transport. We rebuilt RTC

•  We built the best Govt. House in Nigeria

•  We built over 3,800 low cost houses.

•  We built the best State House of Assembly Complex in Nigeria

•  We built the best State Judiciary Complex in the Country.

•  We built new courts.

•  We completed new Assembly Quarters for members of our State House of Assembly.

•  We bought a dual purpose use Air Ambulance/Executive Jet, a Dash 8 aircraft and a Helicopter.

•  We bought over 130 vehicles for the Nigeria Police, over 300 bullet proof vests and 3 APCs.

•  We bought over 30 boats for the Navy including 3 armoured unsinkable assault boats.

•  We rebuilt the abandoned Nigeria Air Force Base airport Runway and installed runway/landing lights and the CAT II Instrument Landing System (ILS system).

•  We bought over 400 taxis and subsidized to allottees.

•  We created an enabling environment for investors which led to the influx of new businesses and employment for our people.

•  In collaboration with TAP, we gave skills to our people – over 700,000 were trained and equipped.

•  We raised the revenue profile of the state.

•  We invested in the economic sector and our net worth in vestment is over 80 billion.

•  We built one of the best liaison offices in Abuja . We built three estates in Abuja .

I herewith present to the commission a little brochure detailing some of the works we executed with the money accruing to our people and our state during our tenure.

But most importantly, My Lord, we insisted on the lowest cost for the best quality and we challenged repeatedly and still challenge now, anyone who can do any of the things or projects we executed at a lower cost to come forward.

If Odilis Government was bad, why did the State Assembly under the Speakership of the Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi hold a special session in honour of Dr Odili and accord him an Honourary Life Member of the same Assembly?

Why did the same Assembly in April 2007 pass a unanimous vote of confidence and clean bill of health to the Odili Administration?

If Odilis administration was not good enough why did Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte not resign his appointment as Chairman State Advisory Council, a position he held till May 29, 2007.

Above all I challenge anyone in Rivers State, Nigeria and in the world who says ODILI looted Rivers Money to come forward with evidence of where this money is , anywhere in the world including Nigeria. It is an open challenge.

God blessed me before I became Governor and I accepted the challenge to serve sacrificially. I am a contented man and I FEAR GOD.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As a man who loves Rivers State dearly, I will make these suggestions for Posterity even though I do not believe that the intention of those who conceived the Commission was to find truth and genuine reconciliation.

•  Youth restiveness is common all over the Niger Delta due to a feeling of frustration among qualified employable but unfortunately jobless young people. So job creation in the oil industry and its subsidiaries will be key to reducing the number of idle hands in the area available for use by negative minds.

•  Deliberate creation of stakeholders' interest and participation for the indigenes in the industry.

•  Massive and Robust Infrastructural development – especially roads and bridges, in Rivers (riverine areas), Delta, and Bayelsa states, driven by strong POLITICAL WILL, by the Federal Government.

•  The practice of True Federalism.

•  Demonstration by the Governor that he sincerely wants reconciliation by seeking peace genuinely. What this Commission has turned out to be, does not suggest that. He has created a forum for innocent people, well-respected people and Traditional rulers like the late Emir of Katsina and the Ooni of Ife to be denigrated. That is unfair and does not reflect well on the state we laboured hard to project as a model to the nation.

•  The situation in Rivers State today is pathetic and calls for reorientation of our people and a return to God. Leadership must be humble and fearful of God.

•  There is need for true leaders and elders of Rivers State to come together selflessly, unite and plan for the future of the state, and not run down people, fomenting restiveness for their personal relevance and self aggrandizement.