Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has claimed that former Rivers State governor Peter Odili was not the person originally destined to lead the state in 1999.
The cleric made the statement while addressing members of his church during a service, explaining that another individual was initially meant to emerge as the state’s governor at the time.
According to him, the person who was allegedly destined for the position was prevented from becoming governor after he stepped in.
In his words:
“Peter Odili was not supposed to be governor in 1999. I stopped the man who was destined to be governor of Rivers State in 1999 because he was attending Celestial Church of Christ and walking barefoot.”
Pastor Ibiyeomie suggested that his actions stopped the individual from taking the position during the political transition of 1999.
Despite this, Odili went on to become governor of Rivers State and served two terms in office from 1999 to 2007.
The pastor’s comment follows another claim he made regarding the re-election of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike. Ibiyeomie alleged that there had been attempts by political rivals to manipulate the election results in favour of Biokpomabo Awara, but said he intervened.
His remarks have since stirred conversations on social media, with Nigerians expressing mixed opinions about the statement and its broader implications for religion and politics.
” Peter Odili was not supposed to be governor in 1999. I stopped the man who was destined to be governor of Rivers State in 1999 because he was attending Celestial Church of Christ and walking with barefoot” pic.twitter.com/XvPxrUvATn
— ÓMÒÉLÉRÍNJÁRÉ (@omoelerinjare) March 10, 2026