Wike Admits Working With APC to Defeat PDP in Edo

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has admitted working with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2024 Edo State governorship election.

Wike made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party platform associated with efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He said the collaboration was intended to prevent former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from producing his successor, despite the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, being qualified for the position.

Wike maintained that he had no regrets about working with the APC, explaining that his opposition to Ighodalo was driven by his determination to prevent Obaseki from retaining political influence through a successor.

He said Ighodalo was a good candidate and recalled that the PDP flag bearer had visited his residence several times to seek his support. However, Wike said he made it clear that he would not support his candidacy because he viewed the contest as an attempt by Obaseki to extend his political influence.

The minister cited the outcome of the September 21, 2024 election as an example of how political alliances could shape electoral results.

The APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, won the election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes. Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,763 votes, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Wike argued that cooperation between elements of the APC and PDP contributed to Okpebholo’s victory, adding that former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, could attest to the role played by the alliance.

He also defended the concept of political coalitions, saying alliances across party lines had existed in Nigeria and could be formed around specific electoral objectives.

The minister’s remarks come amid discussions over the Rainbow Coalition, which seeks to mobilise politicians from different parties behind Tinubu’s re-election while allowing them to retain their party affiliations.

Wike said the coalition was focused on the presidential election and maintained that political differences should not prevent stakeholders from supporting a common candidate.

At the meeting, he also declared himself coordinator of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State. Participants agreed to support Tinubu’s second-term bid, alongside APC candidates contesting senatorial and House of Representatives seats in the FCT.