Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, chastised former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, for referring to him as an enemy of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, who spoke at the Ahoada East and Ahoada West PDP End of Year Thanksgiving in Rivers State, claimed Secondus was Fubara’s true adversary, claiming that as PDP Chairman, Secondus opposed Fubara’s appointment as Rivers governor in 2023.
Wike, who supported Fubara to become governor, said it was this reason he plotted the removal of Secondus as the PDP National Chairman.
Wike, who has now fallen apart with Fubara, berated Secondus and a former Rivers State governor, Celestine Omehia, for backing Fubara in the ongoing political war.
Last week, Secondus, who was in Rivers State as Fubara’s guest during the inauguration of a road project, stated that the governor would overcome his political enemies.
“Be strong and be courageous, because you will overcome your enemies. Those who are shouting in Abuja, how were they made? It is God and some of us and the leaders seated here today that made it possible.
“Your Excellency, don’t worry; power comes from God. The same way God gave it to them through us, God has given it to you. From what we have seen, you will excel because you love and respect the people, leaders, and elders of the State,” Secondus told Fubara.
However, speaking on Thursday, Wike lampooned Secondus, describing him as Fubara’s real enemy.
Wike also denied claims that he left unfinished projects for Fubara to complete, challenging the governor to name any such uncompleted projects.
He said, “I heard Secondus say the other day in Bori that I awarded the Bori Internal Road as governor.
“I paid 50 percent and thought that we had a governor that we all agreed to continue. Secondus was saying that his enemies, who are the enemies of the governor? Secondus, who refused him to be governor!
“I kicked out Secondus as PDP National Chairman when he wanted to make his cousin, Tele Ikuru, the governor. Today, he is saying now that we are enemies.
“He (Seconds) was the one who refused the man (Fubara) to be governor; he wanted his cousin to be governor. He has now become the governor’s friend, and we have now become the enemies. To God be the glory,” Wike said.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")