Wike Admits to Opposing PDP's Ighodalo in Edo Election

Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), openly acknowledged that he worked against Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate in the September 2024 Edo State governorship election. Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting of the rainbow coalition in Abuja, Wike expressed no regrets about his decision.

He explained that a coalition of PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC) figures collaborated to ensure that the former Edo governor could not install a political successor of his choice. APC candidate Monday Okpebholo ultimately defeated Ighodalo, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Edo State.

Wike emphasized that his opposition to Ighodalo was not personal, acknowledging Ighodalo's capabilities as a candidate. Despite multiple visits from Ighodalo seeking support, Wike refused to back him, believing that doing so would effectively return former governor Obaseki to power through a proxy.

Wike's actions illustrate the power of political coalitions in shaping electoral outcomes in Nigeria.