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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he opposed 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 the then-governor, Godwin Obaseki, from determining who would succeed him.
He made the disclosure on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor also claimed that his coalition helped Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat Ighodalo in the election.
Why Wike rejected Ighodalo
According to Wike, Ighodalo approached him on several occasions to seek his support but failed to convince him to change his position.
Although he acknowledged the PDP candidate’s credentials, Wike maintained that supporting him would have amounted to allowing Obaseki to retain political influence after leaving office.
He recounted his response to Ighodalo during one of their encounters.
“I said I would not allow Obaseki to produce a successor, even though the candidate was a very good candidate, a very good candidate who was the chairman of a bank.
“He came to see me more than three times, but I told him, ‘Listen, I know you are a good candidate, but for this election, I am sorry because this election is between us and the man who is bringing you, called Obaseki.
“‘Returning you would be like bringing him back, so I am sorry, you have to fail.’ And he failed,” Wike said.
Rainbow Coalition’s role
Speaking at the coalition’s stakeholders’ meeting, Wike attributed part of Okpebholo’s electoral success to the political support provided by his Rainbow Coalition.
Okpebholo, the APC candidate, defeated Ighodalo in the 2024 governorship election, ending the PDP’s control of Edo State.
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“I said I will not allow Obaseki produce a successor even though the candidate was a very good candidate; very good candidate who was the chairman of a bank. Ha came to see me more than three times but I told him
“listen, I know you are a good candidate, but for this election I… pic.twitter.com/tdcF3zlL7V— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) October 13, 2026