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2023 Presidency: I Secured My Wife’s Buy-In Before Contesting …Justifies Shunning Gov, Deputy, PDP Secretariat During Edo Visit
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that he first consulted with his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike before declaring to contest for president in 2023.
The Rivers State governor said that if she did not approve of his ambition, he would not have made a declaration for the nation’s top job in the coming general election.
Wike made this known in an interview with BBC Pidgin English Service aired, last Friday, and monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt.
He was responding to a question on whether there was anything that could make him step down from his presidential bid on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Rivers State governor said the only thing that can make him step down was if he was dead.
He quickly added that God was with him, and he would not die now.
“Nothing will make me step down. Nobody who loves this country will see how it is and will not look for a means to change the situation. Who will change it for you?
“And luckily, before I came out, I told my wife, and she said go ahead. If I told my wife, and she got upset about it, and said no, I will obey. But she said go ahead, and that’s what I am doing”, he said.
Speaking on why he shunned Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, during his recent special interactive meeting with delegates and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Wiike said, “I did not visit Governor Godwin Obaseki because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not send me there.
“They dispatched me to meet with delegates (rather than the governor) to discuss how our party will win the presidential race in 2023.
“It’s nowhere written that I have to go via the governor before seeing the party delegates.
“I’m not in a relationship with Governor Godwin Obaseki, and he’s not my girlfriend, so, why am I fighting with him?”
“I have been a friend of Edo PDP Chairman, Dr. Dan Orbih, until his elevation to the position of deputy vice chairman, South-South”.
Wike did not also meet with Obaseki’s Deputy, Philip Shaibu.
He further avoided the Edo PDP Secretariat in Benin City, where the state party Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi holds the ace.
During the visit, Wike, who was greeted by a throng of fans, had met with Edo PDP delegates at the mansion of a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), the late Chief Tony Anenih.
Wike and Obaseki have been involved in a public feud, with the Rivers State governor referring to his Edo counterpart as a serial betrayer and ungrateful individual.
He expressed sincere regret to Obaseki’s old godfather and predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for disregarding his warnings about the Edo governor.
Wike said: “If you ask anyone or check Godwin Obaseki’s DNA, what you would find in that DNA is serial betrayal and ungratefulness.
“Let me take this opportunity to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole, who had been justified by informing us that we would see Governor Obaseki’s true colours, insincerity, and ungratefulness.”
The issue began when Obaseki insulted Wike, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not the party of the governor.
The Edo governor stated that political bullies and overlords will not be tolerated, recalling Wike’s success in dethroning bullies and high-handed leaders.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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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
