Odili unable to meet Jonathan
Former Governor Peter Odili might be wondering what is happening to his political crystal ball.
Eight years ego, as Governor of the Rivers State, he was the beautiful bride, coveted by all and wooed by all who sought to be powerful.
Eight years after his reign as governor and his decision to reside in Abuja, he is yet to break into the league of those whose views point the direction of present day Nigeria.
Ignored by the cabal that has surrounded the Yar'Adua administration, Odili has made frantic efforts to link up with Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan since he became acting president.
That hasn't worked either.
Odil's inner kitchen cabinet believes that Jonathan's coming might offer the right opportunity.
Cornering Jonathan and having his ears would give them the foothold they desperately need as 2011 draws, for instance.
Besides, the burial of Chief Aguma provided a platform for Odili and his followers to test the ground. Where violence would have been unleashed years ago to scare perceived opposition, there was calm.
According to what we have learnt, Odili has made spirited attempts to get through to the nation's number one citizen of the moment, with very little success,
Our well placed sources in Abuja say despite promises that his intentions are genuine, and his use of powerful men who walk the corridors of power, Jonathan is yet to pay attention to him.
Said one source, “Odili is lobbying everyone and using every powerful tool that he can muster”.
One of such men is a media guru who owns one of the biggest media outfits in the country.
The man is believed to be one of the media chiefs who issued an ultimatum urging both to the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council to install Jonathan as Acting President.
Many within the Federal capital say Odili is paying for what they describe as his pomposity during the OBJ years.
While Yar’Adua held sway, our sources say men like James Ibori and Lucky Igbenedion literarily made it impossible for Odili to get anywhere near the President.
It is not clear who may be blocking Odili from seeing Jonathan, but for now, Odili does not appear to be one of those Jonathan might be in a hurry to consult.
We cannot confirm if Odili is paying for the way he treated Jonathan when he was the biggest issue in the Niger Delta during his reign, but a source told this publication Jonathan was one of those Odili barely acknowledged.
