Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he opposed Asue Ighodalo’s bid to become Edo State governor in 2024 because he wanted to stop former Governor Godwin Obaseki from choosing his successor.

Wike made the disclosure on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting of the rainbow coalition in Abuja, where he said cooperation between factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) contributed to the ruling party’s victory in the Edo governorship election.

“In the last election that took place in Edo State, the victory was as a result of the coalition between the legacy of PDP and the APC,” he said.

He added: “We had to work together to make sure that the former governor, Governor Obaseki, did not produce his successor. And that is the truth. I was behind it, and I don’t have any regrets about it. So when people say that nothing like coalition, they tell lies.”

Wike said Ighodalo, whom he described as a good candidate, visited his residence more than three times to seek his support but was turned down because of his opposition to Obaseki.

“He came to my house more than three times. I said, ‘Listen, you’re a good candidate, but for this election, I’m sorry, because this election is between us and the man who is bringing you, called Obaseki, ungrateful person, so returning you is like bringing him back, so I’m sorry. You have to fail,’ and he failed,” Wike said.

The FCT minister said Governor Monday Okpebholo and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, could attest to the role the alliance played in defeating the PDP candidate.

“The truth of the matter is that it has been there, depending on how it is worked out. So the governor today, Senator Okpebholo, will know sincerely that it was that coalition,” he said.

Wike, who remains a PDP member, said he withheld support from the party’s candidate because he did not want Obaseki to determine who succeeded him, despite describing Ighodalo as a strong candidate and a former bank managing director.

His remarks come amid renewed attention on the rainbow coalition and efforts by political actors to build alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. (The Sun)