The Chronicles of Asari-Toru politics cannot be integral, comprehensive and complete without the mention of the person, Chief Odiari Princewill. He is not a political upstart, novice or an amateur. Chief Princewill is a vibrant and indispensable politician. In the emergence of our new democratic dispensation in 1999 and Chief Odiari Princewill has been a great participant through it all.
In 1999, he was one of the grassroots politicians that was instrumental for the victory of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Asari-Toru LGA (Asalga).
Alabo as he is popularly referred to is a Kalabari Prince, politician, businessman and social crusader. The emergence of the new Rivers State after the state has been destroyed and kept in indecorum by the previous administration, Chief Odiari as a man of vision saw a prosperous Rivers State through Barr. Nyesom Wike and supported his leadership.
Chief Odiari was the first that wholeheartedly embraced the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI), a political platform for Gov. Wike for the emancipation of Rivers State from the traps of its destructive predecessors and this writer was the second besides Chief Odiari to grab GDI in Asalga. I am a National Officer (an Assistant National Secretary of GDI) Hon. Samuel Nwanosike since the struggle started four years ago.
Chief Odiari has received “bullets” severally. In July 2013 we were been fire cracked with dynamites by other opponents when Gov. Wike visited us for the inauguration of GDI Asalga chapter of Buguma. Shortly after the governor’s visit the members of GDI were beaten up and some wounded.
Precisely 31st December, 2014 GDI members were attacked by those politicians who claimed to be in support of a Kalabari Governor. Chief Odiari on the other hand was attacked along the popular Station Road in the town axis of Port Harcourt and was dehumanized and subsequently hospitalized.
On Saturday 25th of February 2017 Odiari was again arrested in Ulakwo Community in Etche LGA and charged to court and at the time of writing this piece has regained his freedom.
Indeed, Chief Odiari in the political sphere of Asalga will be likened to our respected leaders and fathers of politics where we have the likes of Hon. Eddie Dakoru, Barr. W.H. Kio Lawson, Hon. Ellis Dokubo, Chief I. G. Warmate, Hon. Dagogo Princewill and lots more, he is an icon to be emulated politically. ###
DAMIETE WEST
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
