Wike admits working with APC to block Ighodalo in Edo election

Nyesom Wike, Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has publicly acknowledged that he worked to ensure the defeat of Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party's candidate in September's Edo State governorship election. Wike made the disclosure at a stakeholders' gathering for his Rainbow Coalition political platform in Abuja on Monday, stating that his primary motivation was to block former Governor Godwin Obaseki from securing a political successor.

Wike detailed how members drawn from both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress formed an alliance specifically designed to prevent Obaseki's continued influence over the state's political direction. The arrangement ultimately benefited Monday Okpebholo, the APC's gubernatorial candidate, who emerged victorious in the poll.

Wike emphasised that political coalitions have consistently shaped electoral outcomes across Nigeria and that his collaboration was instrumental in achieving this result. In addressing his decision, Wike clarified that his opposition to Ighodalo was not rooted in questions about the candidate's competence or qualifications.

Rather, Wike stated, the conflict centred on Obaseki's position within the state's political hierarchy. Wike expressed no regrets regarding his actions, framing the cross-party cooperation as a necessary political manoeuvre to preserve the balance of power in Edo State.

The revelation underscores existing tensions within the PDP regarding internal party dynamics and the influence wielded by individual governors over electoral strategy. Wike's admission also illustrates the calculated nature of Nigeria's electoral politics, where alliances between parties can form around specific objectives independent of broader ideological alignment.

The FCT Minister's comments suggest that preventing any single figure from consolidating long-term political control was viewed as more pressing than maintaining party solidarity in this instance.