Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed how he worked against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to help Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) win the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
Wike said his decision was driven by his determination to prevent former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from installing a successor, despite acknowledging that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was qualified for the position.
The former Rivers State governor made the disclosure on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja. He also credited the political alliance with playing a role in the APC’s electoral victory.
According to Wike, Ighodalo visited him several times to seek his support, but he made it clear that he would not back his ambition because he viewed the election as a contest against Obaseki’s political influence.
Wike explained that supporting Ighodalo would have amounted to allowing Obaseki to retain control of the state through a successor, a prospect he was determined to prevent.
He maintained that the candidate’s personal qualifications were not the issue, insisting that his opposition was primarily directed at Obaseki and his political interests.
Wike’s revelation has once again highlighted the political rivalries and cross-party alliances that shaped the 2024 Edo governorship election.