The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly declared that he engineered a cross-party coalition between factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat his own party in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, maintaining he harbors no regrets over the outcome.
Wike made the frank disclosure on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition—a cross-party political platform mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election—held in Abuja. The FCT Minister stated that the primary objective of the alliance was to prevent immediate past Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, from successfully installing a handpicked political successor.
According to Wike, the decisive collaboration directly facilitated the electoral victory of APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, over PDP flagbearer Asue Ighodalo. He emphasized that political coalitions across party lines are an established political reality in Nigeria and claimed that senior political figures, including former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Okpebholo, could attest to the impact of the alliance.
Reflecting on his personal interactions prior to the poll, Wike revealed that PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, visited his residence on more than three occasions seeking his endorsement and political backing. Despite describing Ighodalo as a competent candidate, Wike explained that he turned down the requests because supporting him was equivalent to empowering Obaseki, whom he characterized as politically ungrateful.
The former Rivers State governor asserted that his stance in Edo aligned with his longstanding commitment to opposing political perceived ingratitude and injustice. He dismissed criticisms regarding anti-party activities, arguing that major political realignments have historically shaped electoral outcomes across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Wike’s latest public admission further underscores the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP and highlights his continued willingness to align with ruling APC structures to influence key elections across the South-South region and nationwide.
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