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You’ve DNA Of Serial Betrayer, Wike Tells Obaseki
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has accused his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as a politician who was given to serial betrayal of those who help to advance his political aspiration.
Wike made the accusation at the inauguration of the Community Secondary School, Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, last Monday.
The Rivers State governor maintained that he owes the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, an apology for opposing him when he insisted that Obaseki was a treacherous and ungrateful man.
Wike said Oshiomhole was right then and has been vindicated given the recent display of ingratitude by Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and to those who had helped him to secure his second tenure as governor of Edo State.
“If you go and check the DNA of Godwin Obaseki, what you’ll see in that DNA is serial betrayal and ungratefulness. Let me stand today to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole, who has been vindicated by telling us that we will see the true colour, we’ll see the insincerity, and we will see the ungratefulness of Godwin Obaseki.
“So, let me apologise to Adams Oshiomhole, and to say ‘you have been vindicated. You were right, we were wrong’. I’ve never seen people who are so ungrateful in life. I’ve never seen people who can betray everything in life.”
Wike explained that Obaseki was never his match where character matters because he was consistent, sincere, and a forthright team player, who has never betrayed any person who had helped him politically.
He said that the problem in Edo State stems from Obaseki asking the national leadership of PDP to dissolve Edo PDP executive when the leaders had been elected before he joined the party, and had provided formidable structure for him to win the election.
The Rivers State governor wondered why Obaseki was unable to bring everybody together and work with them but instead wants to unleash the illegality of APC in PDP, which was being resisted because ordinarily, he was a political tenant in PDP.
“I’ve invested in the party. Rivers State has invested in the party. We have voted for PDP since 1999 till now. Ask Governor Obaseki: has he done anything for PDP? Has he voted for PDP?The only election he voted was his own election when we gave him umbrella. So, who has more stakes in PDP? I have more stakes, because I’ve supported PDP always. You’ve never supported PDP.Rather, it was when your godfather chased you away and you came begging, kneeling down. People came with pressure and we allowed you. Ordinarily, you’re a tenant.”
Wike clarified that he fought the then sitting governor in Rivers State to access and take charge of the party structure in the state.
He said it was unfortunate that Obaseki could describe him as a bully now that he was being called to order.
According to him, it was unfathomable that a man who came to him to get PDP’s governorship ticket in 2020 could now turn around to accuse him of being a bully.
“You came to beg a bully for you to have a ticket. A bully was your campaign DG and a bully bullied you into Government House. What a shame! It did not only end there. You came with your wife to thank the bully that after God, the bully made it possible for you to be there.”
Wike said the Edo State governor’s reference that he was jostling to get the PDP presidential ticket smacks of jealousy and bitterness.
He insisted that if he wanted to run for the office of president, the likes of Obaseki and his cohorts could not stop him.
“If I’m contesting for president, with due respect, I’m qualified, very qualified;if not more than qualified. I challenge Obaseki and his cohorts, some of the presidential aspirants who are using him to talk, if I decide to run tomorrow, I challenge anybody, including the so-called Obaseki, what you will see, you will say you never knew this is what politics is.”
He further said: “Tell your presidential aspirants who are sending you, let them pray I don’t come out. If I come out, I will win them.”
Wike said he remains eternally grateful to God for the privilege to preside over the affairs of Rivers State which has immense resources that was being deployed to develop the state.
“I thank Almighty God, who made sure I come from Rivers State, and I am deploying the resources for the development and betterment of my people. People come to Port Harcourt, and say they can’t recognise Port Harcourt. Let people go to Benin and say they cannot recognise Benin. It has been the same.”
Inaugurating the project, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana described Wike as a courageous leader who was focused, and has capacity, wisdom, integrity, and dedicated to service.
Gana noted that Wike has used the resources of the state to better the wellbeing of Rivers people, and has become a sterling example of the kind of leadership Nigerians should expect from the PDP in 2023.
He expressed optimism that PDP would take over power in 2023 to restructure the federation, and transform the economy in order to reduce poverty.
Gana urged Wike to run for presidency, saying that when Rivers people present him as the candidate that has their support, the entire people of the Middle Belt of Nigeria would not hesitate to stand with them.
Providing the description of the project, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Alabo Dax George-Kelly said the school sits on 21 hectares of land, with five blocks of six classrooms each, 350-capacity hostel, 350-capacity dining hall, staff quarters, offices, laboratory, library and an internal road of 520m long and 7.3m wide.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene