Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says he does not have any relationship with his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki apart from being colleagues.
TrackNews reports that the Rivers governor, who was in Edo state last week, failed to meet with Obaseki and the state executive of the People Democratic Party (PDP).
Instead, Wike visited the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, at his palace to inform the monarch of his intention to become the next president in 2023.
He also met with the Deputy Vice Chairman South-South, Dan Orbih, and Edo PDP delegates at the residence of a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, the late Chief Tony Anenih.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Friday, Wike said he did not meet Obaseki because the party didn’t send him to meet with the Edo governor or his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The Rivers governor said he was in the state as part of the consultation for his presidential aspiration and not on a state visit. He added that it is not a law that he must go through Obaseki before seeing the party delegates.
The presidential hopeful added that he does not have an issue with the Edo governor, stressing both of them do not share the same political idea.
He said: “I did not visit Governor Godwin Obaseki because that was not where the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) sent me.
“They sent me to meet the delegates (not the Governor) concerning how our party will win the 2023 presidential election.
“It is not written anywhere that I must go through the Governor before seeing the party delegates.
“Governor Godwin Obaseki is not in a relationship with me, he is not my girlfriend, so why should I be quarreling with him?”
Wike and Obaseki engaged in a war of words last month with the Rivers governor describing his Edo counterpart as a serial betrayer and an ungrateful person.
The problem started when Wike attacked the Edo deputy governor for criticizing and threatening the party leadership over the crisis facing the Edo PDP.
Reacting, Obaseki slammed the Rivers governor for attacking his deputy, saying that he will not accept Wike’s bullying and high-handedness.
The Edo governor reminded Wike that the PDP is not his personal property and that Edo cannot be bought for his presidential ambition.
Wike, in return, described governor Obaseki as a serial betrayer, insincere politician and ungrateful person.
He apologized to Obaseki’s former godfather and predecessor, Adams Oshiomole for ignoring his warnings on the Edo Governor.
