Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has admitted collaborating with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
Wike disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja, saying he had no regrets about the decision.
He explained that the alliance was formed to prevent former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki from determining who would succeed him, despite the PDP fielding Asue Ighodalo as its candidate.
Wike: ‘I Have No Regrets’
According to the minister, elements of the PDP and APC worked together to secure the victory of the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo.
Wike said he was personally involved in the arrangement and maintained that their shared objective was to stop Obaseki from retaining political influence through his preferred successor.
He also acknowledged that Ighodalo was a qualified candidate but said his opposition was driven by his disagreement with Obaseki.
“I was behind it, and I don’t have any regrets about it,” Wike said, describing the collaboration as a deliberate political decision.
How APC Defeated PDP in Edo
The September 21, 2024 governorship election was won by Okpebholo, who polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, who received 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 credited the cooperation between factions of the two major parties with helping the APC secure victory.
He argued that political alliances across party lines were not unusual and said the Edo election demonstrated how politicians could work together when they shared a common objective.
Wike Pushes Rainbow Coalition Ahead of 2027
The minister’s latest remarks come as he continues to promote the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party platform aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
At the Abuja meeting, Wike also declared himself coordinator of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State.
The gathering reportedly brought together PDP and APC stakeholders who agreed to support Tinubu’s second-term bid, as well as APC candidates contesting legislative seats in the FCT.
Wike remains a PDP member while serving in the APC-led Federal Government, a position that has generated debate within the opposition party over his political loyalties and role ahead of the next general election.
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