Wike Claims Credit for Okpebholo’s Victory in Edo Governorship Election

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that his political alliance helped Monday Okpebholo emerge as governor of Edo State in the 2024 governorship election.

Wike made the claim on Monday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition, saying the alliance worked to prevent former Governor Godwin Obaseki from determining his successor.

He said he opposed the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, because he viewed the election as a contest against Obaseki’s political influence.

“I said I would not allow Obaseki to produce a successor, even though the candidate was a very good candidate,” Wike said.

He added that Ighodalo had visited him several times, but he maintained his position because he believed electing the PDP candidate would amount to extending Obaseki’s influence.

Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, defeated Ighodalo in the September 2024 governorship election to become Edo State governor.