Judges As Wives
Rivers State emerges one of the topmost in terms of past and present powerful politicians and power brokers whose wives and daughters are judges at the state and federal levels
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
Some people naturally excel. They stand out, they are pace-setters. In fact, wherever they are and whatever they do, they are shining light. They are movers and shakers in Rivers politics and one thing that goes well with them is that their wives are judges.
Former Governor Peter Odili, the Ndoni born medical doctor turned politician started his political career in Rivers as a Deputy Governor in 1991, he later became governor between 1999 and 2007.
Popularly called the golden governor of Nigeria, he is regarded as the father of modern politics in Rivers State. He is the husband of Hon. Justice Mary Odili, a retired Supreme Court judge and father of two female serving judges at the Federal High Court and another at the Rivers State High Court.
As politicians in Rivers State began to cash in on the rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike to sow seeds of discord, the political giant took his leave of absence.
Presently, he is focusing his energy and resources to his PAMO University of Health Sciences where he is the Founder and Chancellor. His daughter, Professor (Mrs.) Ada Oreh, a medical practitioner is the immediate past Commissioner of Health in Rivers State.
All said and done, anyone who ignores his political weight in Rivers does so at his own peril. He is the godfather of all politicians irrespective of political affiliations.
But he has since parted ways with his political godson, Wike, a former governor, and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because of his (Wike’s) continued rift with Governor Fubara.
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Minister (FCT) Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike is another political guru in Rivers State no one can ignore. The immediate past governor of Rivers State, is the husband of Justice Eberechi Suzzeth Wike of Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja.
Wike and his wife were said to have completed their law training in 1997 and called to Bar in 1998.
Interestingly, they got married seven months after becoming Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA. The former First Lady of Rivers State served as a judge in the Rivers State judiciary before she was elevated to a Judge of the Federal Appeal Court.
Wike is not only a power broker in Rivers State, but also at the Federal level. The leader of Rainbow Coalition is seen to be the engine room in political planning, research and strategy of President Tinubu political group.
The controversial lawyer turned politician has seen it all in politics. From local government Chairman, he rose to become Chief of Staff Government House Port Harcourt, Two term Minister and two term governor and a presidential aspirant. His political career has not been a bed of roses. Criticism, blackmail, scandal and gossip seem to run after him. Everyone has a version and interpretation to everything he does. The way he manages and resolves most of his crisis baffles many.
Rt. Hon Austin Okpara is another power broker in oil rich Rivers State whose wife is a High Court Judge in the state. A former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Abuja, he was two term member of the lower chamber of National Assembly, representing Port Harcourt City Federal Constituency.
Rt Hon Austin Adele Okpara, Obingele Dike Ajiegh Mgba of Rebisi was once a top contender for number one seat in Rivers State under the PDP, before he was asked to withdraw for his kinsman Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi who later became governor from 2007 to 2015.
The husband of Justice Margaret Okpara of Rivers State High Court, is one politician that has large grassroots supporters especially in Port Harcourt City.
Another politician of note in the state who belongs to the league of politicians whose wives are judges is Rt. Hon. Chief Ken Chikere. A former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Rivers State, is the husband of a retired Judge of Federal Court of Appeal Abuja, Justice Anwuri Chikere. Chief (Barr) Chikere is the leader of Rainbow Coalition Port Harcourt Municipal City was a two term member of House of Representatives, Abuja. He is a long-time friend and strong ally of former governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
Kingsley Chukwu, an accomplished lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The lawyer who hails from Woji Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State is a grassroots mobilizer and Chief Legal Adviser to the Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State Chapter. He is the husband of Hon. Justice Augusta Chukwu of the State High Court.
Chief Derin Ajumogobia, the Kalabari born lawyer turned politician is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was once Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Rivers State under the administration of Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili.
He later served the nation as Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan. He is the husband of Hon Justice Ofili Ajumogobia a retired Federal Judge of Federal Court of Appeal Abuja. The handsome and charming politician who also was a governorship aspirant in the state is one of the top politicians political observers are asking of his whereabouts.
Hon. Emeka Nnam Obi, former Member of House of Representatives, Abuja was once married to Hon. Justice Chinelo Odili, the daughter of Odili.
The Omoku born prince turned politician was once an aide to the former governor.
Chief Eddy Mark, the Omagwa lawyer turned politician is a politician of high note. A former Chairman Board of Public Procurement, Rivers State is married to Justice Mark of the Federal High Court, Adamawa State. Eddy Mark since he resigned and cut off his political romance with Wike, he is on sabbatical leave in politics.
The Ogoni born politician and one of the finest orators, Chief (Barr.) Magnus Ngei Abe is a charming politician that is solid in the state. A former minority leader of Rivers State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State under Odili regime, also served as the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) under former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
A former two term Senator of the Federal Republic and governorship candidate, Chief Senator Abe has intimidating credentials. He is married to Justice Bari Abe of Rivers State High Court.
Abe is currently the Chairman of the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency and a strong ally of President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, Rivers State remains the only state in Nigeria that none of her former governors has headed to the Senate after serving their tenure. Unlike other states in Nigeria where former governors headed to the Senate as if the Senate is a house for former governors.
Interestingly the former governors have contested for the seat of the president at the primary election and lost, starting from Dr. Peter Odili to Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike.
