 As the People's Democratic Party crisis in Adostate lingers, Governor Nyesun Wike apologises to Adam Zashamale, calls Governor Gardiner Basakie a serial betrayer and an ingrate. And Governor Udomi Manuel and former Deputy Governor of Aqaibom State Chris Ekbeong differ on who God has chosen to rule Aqaibom come 2023. Well this is Plus Politics, I am Mary Anacorn. Adostate Chairman of the all-progressive Congress, Colonel David Imuse retired, has said his party will capitalise on the disarray in the People's Democratic Party to take over power in the state. Imuse said the APC is well organised and that those causing problems left their own volition or off their own volition and are now trying to destroy the party, sheltering them. Meanwhile, Governor Nyesun Wike of River State has described his adobe counterpart Gardiner Basakie as a serial betrayer and an ingrate. Well joining us to discuss this is Liberos Osama, he is the head attorney at Liberos Osama Chambers and also joining us is the local government chairman of Aqaibom local government in River State, Samo Manasike. Thank you very much gentlemen for joining us. Great. I am going to start with you because you know a little more about Adostate politics and all the internal drama that is going on. I want to take you back to a conversation that was had on Plus Politics about the elections in Adostate with Governor Ayofayesh, former Governor of Aqiti State, what he said about the relationship between the governor of Adostate and Governor Nyesun Wike. Let's take a listen to that video and when we come back we'll break it down. I won't be surprised. I want to keep winning this election because Osama Le Tu is a very bad man. I want to keep winning this election. But if he wins this election, I will not be surprised if Oba Kiti turns his back on the likes of my friend Wike and others who are fighting to gain for him. But we should remember that I said it that time. This video I play Oba Kiti will not allow us to play this video because those of the people in the PDP now, it must keep his agreement with them. It must keep his agreement with them because they kept the party before it's coming. Well, that was the former governor of Aqiti State. And he said in the video that he hopes that this video does not get played. But let's look at the important thing that he stated in the video. He talked about the fact that the party that's sheltering him, of course, which is the PDP, will definitely have problems in the future. Does Ayofayesh here seem like a prophet of doom to you? Yeah, everybody at that time knew that this was what was going to play out at the end of the day, except you are not a follower of the events. For those that were following the events, they knew that definitely this would happen. Mind you, it was exactly two years into the administration of Obaseki in his first term that he started having problems with Oshumole. After all, he was already a governor before Wiki assisted him to win second term. Anything Wiki did for Obaseki, Oshumole did times two. And at the end of the day, Obaseki said Oshumole wanted to be called the Godfather and then we all knew what happened. So when Wiki came and when he went to take shelter in PDP and he was running a tax cutter, he went to Wiki, went to Dom Emmanuel, went to Kawa. A lot of people just felt well. Even some members of the APC said they were happy. Let them go to, let even PDP win the election and they let PDP have a taste of what APC were complaining of. And so if you are a follower of the event at that time, you definitely certainly will know that this would happen. Do you know why? Also, Obaseki came into the party with his deputy governor, his chief of staff, and the secretary to the government. Those are the first four political position. The first four head of executive position that you will have, you can occupy. And then the as of assembly members that didn't agree with him, it typically chased part of the name. So having the government, the structure of the government intact, it was only also convenient for those people who were outside or who gave him shelter to also ask for a bite of the cherry. And then without giving them a bite of the cherry and consistently asking them to harmonize and also include him and his team. In the executive membership of the party was definitely going to create a problem. And Wiki being a man who does not take a punches line low. So he was bound to happen and then what we are seeing now is just what you call it. A meal that had been prepared long ago that unfortunately, people didn't know how it was prepared. So I'm not surprised really that all of this is playing out. It's interesting that Governor Wiki is taking this very personally. Just as you have said, I mean, it's the same blow according to you that was dealt to the former state governor and now Governor Wiki is so interested in the matter. But let's look at what's at the core. There was a video that was making rounds also of the deputy governor speaking with so much authority and many people have wondered where he got that type of temerity being that to you know, in Nigerian politics, the vice president, the deputy governors are always yes men. But in this case, the deputy governor seems to be very vocal. And this is one of the things that the River State governor spoke against. He actually did wonder where he was getting his guts from. But then there are those who are wondering why Shraibu is that vocal. Could he be interested in the ticket for the next governorship race? I can tell you for free that there's the rumor that Shraibu is interested in becoming the next governor, unconfirmed rumor. I don't know how true that is. But also as for being vocal, Philip Shabu is not a man who has never been who has not. He's always been vocal in as fast as those state politicians concerned. Right from his days and when he strongly supported the showmole, he's always been very, very, very vocal. And then also if you look at the team really, Philip Shabu and the secretary to the state government are the politicians in the team. Obaseki was sold as a technocrat. And so he really didn't have political base. Those people that have political base were Obaseki from Edonaut and Obaseki from Edosaut. The same constituency with Obaseki. The Obaseki is the Barist House and the Oge. He's the secretary to the state government. But Oge has been on the quiet side. And then Philip, being the vociferous one, has consistently been the what you call it, the word chest of the team. And then mind you also, Philip is this vocal because the main crisis also is in his constituency. Mind you, because the leader of the PDP that is at the heart of all of this is Dan Obi. Chief Dan Obi is from the same constituency with Philip. Chief Dan Obi is from Obuna in Esako Central. Philip is from Jetu in Esako West. And their houses are not far apart in Jetu. So the both of them are struggling for the same mix in the same part. So that's why you simply did this very vocal. But also that said, I do not like the fact that deputy governors are relegated in Nigeria. And I also think that an agreed member should have a right to complain. It is also not left for the party to say, well, your complaints are either genuine or not genuine. To silent an agreed member for me, it is not a way to go in politics. After all, politics is said to be a game of nonsense. Interesting. Honorable Wanaseke, you are a party man here. Let's throw the next question to you. We see that Governor Wike is in the thick of this conversation. Before now, it was an argument within the PDP and we saw Yota Aiu in Adostei trying to douse the tension. But we do not know how well that worked out. But then Governor Wike is caught in the war wards with not just the deputy governor, but the state governor himself who is also trying to shield his deputy governor. Why is Governor Wike in your position, rather from your perspective, so interested in Adostei politics? Well, I want to say here clearly that Nigeria has come to a place where we should be building strong institutions, not strong men. For me, Governor Ziboyesou Wike was nominated by the People's Democratic Party to be the chairman of that election. And if you remember all that played out, the threats to his life, the intimidation from the progressive Congress, and all the late night meetings, abandoning job in reverse state and making sure campaigns are held in Adostei, just to support a Niger Deter man that is considered abandoned under the rain, a man that has been pushed out from his original home, he needs a shelter. And so Governor Ziboyesou Wike is a man that has a large heart to accommodate people, especially when you are in crisis. If you come to the university, a member of APC and join you, they had a crisis with the minister for Nigeria Deter, Ababio. And Governor Ziboyesou Wike said, no, she is a reverse man, I will stand up for her. So for us, what Governor Ziboyesou Wike is trying to say? The People's Democratic Party is considered as the alternative to what is happening today in the center. The maladministration of the whole progressive Congress, and we are being careful of the People's Democratic Party. And they are here, that were a political party that did not keep to agreements. We don't understand why Philippe Saibou and Berserky want us to change the go-poles at the middle of a match. Before they came to People's Democratic Party to seek for help, we have already conducted Congresses at the world level, at the local government level, and at the state level. Officers have won elections and have been matched. In fact, we had aspirants who were preparing for Congress to be candidates of our party few weeks to our election, before we had to speak to our people. It was already threatening to go to court, you followed the incident. In fact, we have made that prediction. Today, the party has been vindicated. And that's why Governor Ziboyesou Wike had to apologize to Chamele. Because Chamele told him, look, this man, you are doing everything to help. You don't know him. After helping him, you will understand who it really is. Today, Chamele has been vindicated. What Philippe Saibou is asking for is to own a structure that will help him take over from Berserky. So you are telling us that the People's Democratic Party to throw away our structure. Because Osomone said he came from APC with his work chairman. Yesterday on a live television program in TVC, he said he came from APC with his work chairman. He came from APC with his local government chairman. He came from APC with his state chairman. So why would they be left out? Why is he deputy governor on that PDP? That he's not a member of PDP. The only person that's a member of PDP is the governor. That him is not accepted in PDP. So he will go elsewhere. We in the People's Democratic Party, we are people of the Rulof Law. NWSNWK is a live venture. He will always tell you, you cannot manage democracy without the Rulof Law. If you follow NWSNWK president, he will say, whether the law is against me, let it be against me, but let the law be the law. We operate the democracy in Nigeria on three legs. The constitution of your party, the electoral act, and the constitution of Nigeria. So why would you want us to chase away those who want Congresses? Genuinely, because they gave you a helping hand to come and seek their umbrella to win the election. So it's not a crime to help your brothers in need. For us, we don't care whether Obaseke is loyal to Philippe Saibu or Philippe Saibu is the politician of Obaseke, is a technocrat, it's not our business. Our business is clear. You made a promise, you had an agreement with people. Keep to that agreement. But Nigerians want to see that Philippe is not like APC, that they're not keep to the agreements they had with Nigerians in 2015. I'm more curious as to, yes, of course you have made your position as the PDP to us, but in opening your doors to people from the APC, the likes of Philippe Saibu and every other person that came with him, I listened to many of his conversations before he went on TVC. He spoke about the fact that they have not yet been settled in the party. They don't feel welcomed within the party. And this is a question I always ask, how do you welcome people into your party without settling them or making sure that they feel at home? And I'm not in any way saying that you should break down your structures. But how do you get people, I mean, of course, I'm sure the PDP wants more people to join the party, but how do you keep those people within the party if we have issues like this coming up every other day? Meran, let me quickly say something here, quickly, please. Hello. I'm listening. Meran, can you hear me? Yes. See, when Philippe Saibu and Obaseki came into the party, the Philippe, Obaseki is the governor. That is the number one seat in the States. Philippe is the deputy governor. The second seat of the state government is Uriyo Sarodil. The chief of staff is Saibu. These are key positions in the States. So of all of these key positions, they are occupied by the APC, the KPs. No position was really wished for the PDP. How do you think the PDP will fail? You now ask them, you've taken the juicy ones. You know, here we like the juicy and untruced. You've taken the juicy positions in the executive. The House of Assembly positions, you have also refused to relinquish. You have about nine members out of 23, 24 members sitting. And then you now say the executive positions in the party should also be relinquished for you when you didn't relinquish number one, number two, number three, and then assistance. So here you come, Secretary Mohsko, with Clayhans. So really, let's be fair here. I think Obaseki and Philippe didn't enter into this race with Clayhans. So, and against the backdrop of his antecedents coming from the APC and its behavior, also the PDP also definitely will be circumspect. And look, if we allow this man to have his way, he will overrun us and maybe tomorrow take away the structure and go back to where he's coming from. So for me, why they have the rights to complain? I always believe in complaint. Nobody should shout to you that. But also, they also should be fair in giving before they ask to take it. Interesting. Back to you, Mr. Wanushike, I spoke with the deputy PDP chairman last week, Friday, if I'm not mistaken, on this issue. And he kept saying, I remember it was very, he was very tight-lipped about, you know, the major issues in the party, but he kept saying that what was happening within the party because of a few people who are not necessarily members of the party, who are interested in positions for 2023. That's what he kept saying. But let's talk about the reality on ground. Liborus has said that to be fair here, you know, the PDP has not been dealt, you know, a good hand. But is the PDP in Edo State ready to lose all of these people that came with Governor Basaki if it comes down to it? Let me put it that way. Mr. Wanushike, can you hear me? Yes, see, I didn't hear the last part So I'm asking, I'm asking if, is the PDP ready to lose the governor and those who came with him or the deputy governor, because he kept saying it over and over in one of those events, saying that they, he would, that then they're not settled. So they're ready to go back to where they'll be, they'll feel more welcomed. So how about is the PDP to let go of all those people that they had welcomed with pump and ceremony into the party? First of all, the Supreme Court have settled this matter. Are you with me? I can hear you. The Supreme Court have settled this matter. Supreme Court have said that it's political party that wins election. And of Basaki and to each other, they are aware that it is the people's democratic party that won the election in the last election in Edo State. And so we're asking them if they know that they want to test the will of the laws of Nigeria. They make the move they want to make. We're asking them to make the move they want to make. You see, when a man has had a meeting behind closed doors, you want to look for reasons to throw to the public why he's taking the steps he's taking. For us, we're not bothered about that. But we will not change the go post at the middle of the match. I have said here, democracy in Nigeria is in three strengths. One, the constitution of the party. Two, the electoral act. Three, the constitution of Nigeria. If the Supreme Court have said that it's the people's democratic party that won the election. And of Basaki and to each other, please want to throw caution to the rings. They should take the steps. For every action that's equal and opposite reaction. So we're not worried. For us, we cannot do what our laws will not allow us to do. Because a man believes that he wants a structure that will enthrone him to take over from his boss, the governor. See, let me tell you one. Any man that cannot manage his family cannot manage the community or the society. Basaki is also acting funny. As a sitting governor, a governor is the leader of the party. He is the leader of the party. He knows that as a leader of the party, if you take care of your party properly, you won't even need anybody to tell you whether you want structure or not. Structure will come to you. It's structure will come to you when you pour sugar in the floor and walk away. The next morning, no matter how safe the candidate has been, ants will appear from nowhere around that sugar. It's a natural law justice. So the people in the Democratic party will not change their rules. To go and conduct another congress or to hold a meeting to negotiate so that of Basaki to what chairman or to establish what chairman in his village, we now have to take a position so that he will not be comforted. How? You have everything. You have the government house. You have the funds. You have all the position. All the judicial position belongs to you. Yeah, the little one that people want genuinely after following the rule of law. You want to take it from there because they make the mistake of allowing you use their platform to run election. I've never seen this kind of thing before. I'm curious. And I know that. And this is Julia, we don't want to have. I know that you might not be in the right position to answer this question. But what was the PDP when Governor Godin of Basaki took over the House of Assembly and only nine people were allowed to sit for as long as possible? What was the PDP? Sorry, I'm asking, where was the PDP when the governor took over the House of Assembly? We remember that standoff. Where was the PDP to make sure that everybody was allowed some form of fair here? We still know how the House of Assembly, you know, was divided on this matter. If there was fair hearing somewhat, I'm guessing that the PDP would not be at this crossroad where we are today. I'm just wondering why Governor Witte waited till now to speak on the issues within the party? No, the members that were excluded were not PDP members, they are only PC members. I know. I know this, but I'm saying you cannot also have a House that has 20-something members, but just nine people were in that House sitting. Where is the rule of law here? Because now Samoan Oshike is referring to the rule of law, but why was the rule of law not applied at that time? When go back to all your clips, go back to all your clips. When they had the crisis in the State House of Assembly, go back to your clips. The PDP had a stand on it when they had their crisis before they were kicked out of their party because Oshomole was quote-unquote the Godfather. So it is not our business what happened in their party. But then it's your business now. What? We in the People's Democratic Party, we in the People's Democratic Party wanted a situation where we will liberate those State people. Our ambition and a mission where we accommodated Oshike and his people was because we saw in Oshomole a man who is we wanting to perpetuate himself like they are showing you of Lagos. And we say, it can't happen in those States. That is where you have that slogan, it's not Lagos. So the truth of the matter is that this question has nothing to do with what we're discussing now. I'll tell you why I'm asking the question. I wasn't asking it in favor of the APC, by the way. You kept talking about the fact that he's high-handed now. The rule of law. Yes, and the rule of law. And I'm saying, but the rule of law needs to apply whether it's the APC or the PDP, so that there's fair hearing. So why is the PDP crying foul now and talking about the rule of law if that had not been applicable from the get-go? That's why I was asking- No, we're not crying, although we're not crying foul, nothing has gone wrong as far as we have consigned. We will not change the go-posts. In the middle of a match, it is clear what Congresses have happened. AJ Congresses have happened. State Congresses have happened. You can't turn them because you're governor. It's not possible. If they were smart, they will wait for another opportunity to come so that they will ask those there persons who they prefer, that will do their bidding, to try to enhance the Congresses. If a governor can now win a Congress, why do you want us to give, do they dance among the structure? Do anybody dance on the structure of reverse kids? Do anybody dance in the structure in this nation? You contest by the provision of the constitution of your party in accordance with the electorate after the constitution of Nigeria. If you win, you become the world chairman. If you win, you become the local government chairman. If you win, you become the state chairman. Okay. Quickly, I want to talk about Governor Wike before I go back to Liboris. Governor Wike seems to have his hands full. Recently, he was hitting hard at the Boeing State Governor. Now it's a Basiki. The other day was the former Vice President, Tatiqa Bubakar. He seemed to be apprehending him for a statement that was credited to him about the fact that he was going to be able to get the PDP's ticket to come 2023. There are also rumors. We don't want to also pay any attention to those rumors. But is the governor of the state interested in running for presidency come 2023? Okay, I like to see you next year. Mr. Wanoseke, are you there? I think we lost that connection. I'm going to come back to you, Liboris. Liboris, how do you see this ending with all the drama that's going on? Because I did ask a question to Mr. Wanoseke. If the governor or the deputy governor decides to take all his people back to the APC, does the PDP stand a chance come 2023? Before I answer that question, let me first and foremost let you know that those states had never really been a state that is controlled by one party. The PDP had two senators. Ibuwala Basaki was in, was the governor. The PDP had two senators. The senator representing of Basaki's constituency was the PDP. The PDP also had, the house was clearly equally divided. The PDP also had some members of the House of Rep. So it was a party that had strong food, consistently had strong food in those states. Why the APC controlled one Senate in the, that's Oshomole's Senatorial Zone. But that said, I do not think that Obasaki at this stage may get the backdrop of the judgment in Umahi's case. And the fact that that judgment has been non-reserved in the Supreme Court, I do not think that Obasaki will want to take a dive, you know, headlong, you know, into another party at this point. He would want to watch out for the turn of events. That was why I think also he wasn't the one that spoke. He's had to use his deputy as a poster boy to complain about how they were treated. Because I originally would have felt that, you know, the complaint would have been coming from the leader. And like one Oshiki has said, truly, if you treat your people well, nobody will, you won't beg anybody for structure. They will naturally gravitate towards you. And then nobody will be looking in the direction of ESOM Wiki. But then another thing is I do not also like, this is my personal opinion though, I also do not like Governor ESOM Wiki's approach to these issues. You know, there are more civil ways of handling these issues instead of this a resort to who is, who is his father kind of language. This for me should not be coming from leaders that we revered, that we hold in high esteem. You know, we should at some point let them know that there are better ways. There are more refined ways of addressing these issues rather than this resort to, you know, gutter language. But by and large, really, you would say that Wiki, you know, came to the rescue. PDP actually came to the rescue or for Basaki when he needed it most. But that didn't come at a, that didn't come at no cost. It also was at the cost for Basaki. And what is playing out now is that it shows that the memorandum was not properly tied in up before they went into that argument. And that is why we're seeing all of this fall out. Okay, Mr. Oshiki, quickly before we go, would you like to quickly respond to the last question that I had because we're wrapping up. We lost you for a second. And there he goes again. Well, I want to say thank you. Samuel Oshiki is the Executive Chairman of the Quarry Local Government area in River State. Liborah Soshama is the head of Tony at Liborah Soshama Chambers. Thank you so much, Liborahs, for being part of the conversation. Well, please. All right. Well, thank you all for staying with us. We'll take a short break. Now, when we come back, we discuss Aquabomb State politics and who God has supposedly chosen to lead the government of 2023.