ABUJA: Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has revealed why he worked against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, despite describing him as a good candidate.
Wike said his decision was driven by his determination to prevent former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from choosing his successor and retaining political influence after leaving office.
The minister made the disclosure on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja, where he claimed that an alliance between some PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) politicians contributed to the APC’s victory in the election.
According to Wike, the political arrangement was designed to stop Obaseki from installing his preferred successor, rather than being motivated by concerns about Ighodalo’s qualifications.
“In the last election that took place in Edo State, the victory was as a result of the coalition between the legacy of PDP and the APC,” Wike said.
He added that he personally participated in the arrangement and had no regrets about his decision.
Explaining his position, Wike said Ighodalo visited his residence more than three times to seek his support ahead of the September 2024 governorship election.
However, the minister maintained that he could not support the PDP candidate because he believed doing so would allow Obaseki to retain political control of Edo State through his successor.
Wike acknowledged Ighodalo’s credentials, describing him as a good candidate and referring to his background as a former bank managing director.
Despite those qualifications, he said his opposition to Obaseki’s political influence took priority over supporting his party’s candidate.
“He came to my house more than three times. I said, ‘Listen, you’re a good candidate, but for this election, I’m sorry, Wike recalled.
He said he told Ighodalo that supporting his ambition would amount to returning Obaseki to power indirectly.
So returning you is like bringing him back, so I’m sorry. You have to fail,” the minister said, recounting his conversation with the PDP candidate.
Wike’s remarks have renewed attention to the internal political divisions and alliances that shaped the Edo governorship contest.
The September 21, 2024 governorship election was won by APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, who defeated Ighodalo of the PDP.
According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo polled 247,274 votes. Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata came third with 22,763 votes.
Wike attributed the APC victory partly to cooperation between APC figures and politicians associated with the PDP’s legacy, arguing that political alliances can influence electoral outcomes beyond formal party boundaries.
He also maintained that Edo politicians, including Okpebholo and former governor Adams Oshiomhole, could attest to the role the alliance played in the election.
The minister’s admission is particularly notable because he remains a PDP member while serving in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led Federal Government as FCT minister.
His political position has repeatedly placed him at odds with sections of his party over its leadership, direction and relationship with the ruling APC.
Wike’s latest comments come amid growing political discussions surrounding the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party platform he has promoted to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The minister has argued that politicians should be able to cooperate across party lines when pursuing shared political objectives.
At the Abuja meeting, the coalition’s supporters discussed working together to back Tinubu’s second-term ambition and support APC candidates in relevant elections.
However, the arrangement has attracted opposition from some APC governors and party officials, who have expressed concern that political alliances operating outside the party’s formal structure could undermine its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike’s position also raises questions about the relationship between party loyalty and political alliances, particularly when politicians prioritise opposition to an individual rival over support for their own party’s candidate.
His account of the Edo election provides a fresh insight into the political calculations behind the contest, while highlighting how disputes over succession and influence can shape electoral alliances in Nigeria.
