Wike Reveals How His Coalition Helped Okpebholo Defeat Ighodalo in Edo

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has recounted how he opposed Godwin Obaseki’s attempt to produce a successor in Edo State, despite describing the former governor’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as a good candidate for the position.

Wike made the disclosure on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja, where he credited the political alliance with helping Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 Edo governorship election.

Quick Takeaways

Wike says he opposed Ighodalo’s candidacy because he did not want Obaseki to determine his successor.
The FCT minister described Ighodalo as a good candidate and recalled that he visited him more than three times.
Wike credited the Rainbow Coalition with helping Okpebholo defeat the PDP candidate.
Okpebholo has separately threatened to arrest a contractor over an allegedly abandoned section of the Benin–Abraka Road.
The governor said contractual arrangements made by the previous administration limited his ability to intervene directly in the road project.

Wike Explains Why He Opposed Ighodalo’s Governorship Bid

According to Wike, his opposition to Ighodalo was driven by his determination to prevent Obaseki, the outgoing governor at the time, from retaining political influence through his successor.

The minister said he recognised Ighodalo’s qualifications but was unwilling to support his ambition because he viewed the contest as a political struggle involving Obaseki.

Recalling his conversation with the PDP candidate, Wike said:

“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 added that Ighodalo had approached him on several occasions to seek his support.

“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.’”

Wike said he believed supporting Ighodalo would amount to allowing Obaseki to retain political influence in Edo State after leaving office.

He recalled telling the candidate:

“Returning you would be like bringing him back, so I am sorry, you have to fail.”

Wike concluded the account by noting that Ighodalo lost the election to Okpebholo.

How Wike Linked the Rainbow Coalition to Okpebholo’s Victory

Wike attributed Okpebholo’s emergence as governor to cooperation between political forces associated with the Rainbow Coalition.

According to the minister, the alliance helped bring together interests that opposed Obaseki’s preferred succession plan, despite Wike’s own affiliation with the PDP.

His account places political alliances and disagreements within parties at the centre of the 2024 Edo governorship contest.

However, Wike’s remarks represent his explanation of the coalition’s role. The supplied report does not independently establish how much the alliance contributed to the election outcome compared with other factors.

Background: The 2024 Edo Governorship Contest

The election featured Okpebholo as the APC candidate and Ighodalo as the PDP candidate. The contest also became a struggle over who would succeed Obaseki, whose administration was nearing its end.

Wike’s latest comments revisit that political contest and his stated decision to oppose Ighodalo, even though he considered him qualified for the governorship.

The account also highlights the tension between party affiliation and political alliances, as Wike said he supported an outcome that worked against the candidate fielded by his own party.

Related Development: Okpebholo Threatens Action Against Benin–Abraka Road Contractor

Separately, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has threatened to arrest a contractor handling a section of the Benin–Abraka Road over allegations that the project was abandoned after payment had been made by the previous administration.

The governor reportedly made the statement while addressing APC members in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas during a tour aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo said he wanted to address the condition of the road but faced restrictions arising from contractual agreements entered into under Obaseki’s administration.

The governor explained that the road project had been awarded to two contractors. He said one contractor was making progress on its assigned section, which he estimated to be about 75 per cent complete.

Okpebholo also alleged that the other contractor, whom he described as a friend of Obaseki, had abandoned its portion of the project.

The allegation and proposed arrest remain claims attributed to the governor; the supplied report does not include a response from the contractor.

What the Two Developments Establish

Wike’s remarks concern his account of the political alliances that helped shape the 2024 Edo governorship election. Okpebholo’s comments about the Benin–Abraka Road concern a separate infrastructure dispute involving contractual arrangements inherited from the previous administration.

Although both developments involve Obaseki and Okpebholo, the supplied information does not establish a direct connection between them.

The reports raise distinct questions about political influence, party alliances and the management of public projects in Edo State. Further responses from the relevant parties would provide additional perspectives on the claims.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What did Nyesom Wike say about the 2024 Edo governorship election?

Nyesom Wike said he opposed Asue Ighodalo’s bid to succeed former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki. He also credited the Rainbow Coalition with helping Monday Okpebholo defeat Ighodalo in the election.

2. Why did Wike oppose Asue Ighodalo?

Wike said he did not want Obaseki to retain political influence by producing a successor. He maintained that, although he considered Ighodalo a good candidate, supporting him would amount to allowing Obaseki to return politically through another person.

3. Who won the 2024 Edo State governorship election?

Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), according to the supplied report.

4. What role did the Rainbow Coalition play in the election, according to Wike?

Wike credited the Rainbow Coalition with helping Okpebholo secure victory. The supplied report does not independently quantify the coalition’s influence on the election result.

5. What did Monday Okpebholo say about the Benin–Abraka Road contractor?

Okpebholo reportedly threatened to arrest a contractor accused of abandoning a section of the road after receiving payment under the previous administration. The allegation was attributed to the governor, and the supplied report did not include the contractor’s response.

6. Why did Okpebholo say he was constrained from intervening in the road project?

The governor said contractual agreements entered into by the previous administration limited his ability to intervene directly. He also stated that the project had been awarded to two contractors and that one section was about 75 per cent complete.

7. Are Wike’s election comments connected to the road controversy?

The supplied report does not establish a direct connection between Wike’s account of the 2024 election and Okpebholo’s comments about the road contractor. They are separate political and governance developments involving figures associated with Edo State.

TAGS: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike