Wike Says He Worked With APC to Defeat PDP in Edo Election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he has no regrets working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Edo State governorship election.

Wike said he opposed the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to stop former Governor Godwin Obaseki from installing his preferred successor. He maintained that his decision was not based on Ighodalo’s qualifications.

The minister made the remarks while explaining his role in the election. His comments reflect the political divisions within the PDP and his willingness to cooperate with the ruling APC.

Wike spoke on Monday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition. The cross-party platform supports his efforts to mobilise backing for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027

The APC’s Monday Okpebholo won the September 21, 2024, governorship election with 291,667 votes. He defeated Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes. Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,763 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Wike said he did not oppose Ighodalo because he lacked the qualifications for the job. Instead, he wanted to prevent Obaseki from retaining political influence through his successor.

He described Ighodalo as a good candidate. He also recalled visiting his home several times to seek his support.

Wike has continued to defend his political decisions. He has cited fairness, equity and justice as reasons for his actions. However, some PDP members have questioned his loyalty to the party.

The minister’s comments could renew debate over party loyalty, political alliances and the PDP’s internal divisions.

The PUNCH reports that Wike also declared himself coordinator of President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State during Monday’s meeting.

Wike remains a PDP member while serving as a minister in the APC-led Federal Government.

At the meeting, PDP and APC stakeholders agreed to support Tinubu’s second-term bid. They also pledged to back APC candidates contesting FCT Senate and House of Representatives seats.