Wike claims Rainbow Coalition secured Okpebholo's Edo win, blocked Obaseki's successor
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike revealed Monday in Abuja that his Rainbow Coalition orchestrated Monday Okpebholo's victory in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, specifically working to prevent outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki from producing a successor. Speaking at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders' meeting, Wike stated he actively undermined Obaseki's preferred candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, by telling the banker-turned-political aspirant: 'I know you are a good candidate, but for this election, I am sorry because this election is between us and the man who is bringing you, called Obaseki. Returning you would be like bringing him back, so I am sorry, you have to fail.'
This revelation exposes the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering that shaped Edo's 2024 election, contradicting the public narrative of a straightforward APC vs PDP contest. Wike's claim highlights how political godfatherism and coalition-building—rather than pure party politics—determined the outcome, with implications for understanding power dynamics in Nigerian states where influential figures like Wike can override formal party processes. The statement also signals Wike's continued influence ahead of the 2027 elections, as he frames this strategy as a replicable model for future contests.
What does this mean for Nigeria's political landscape? If Wike's assertion is accurate, it suggests electoral outcomes in key states may increasingly depend on elite negotiations and personal loyalties rather than voter mandates alone. This raises questions about the transparency of our democratic process and whether citizens are truly choosing leaders or ratifying pre-determined elite agreements. As we approach 2027, should voters scrutinize not just party platforms but the behind-the-scenes coalitions and godfather dynamics that may actually decide who appears on the ballot?
SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/13/how-i-made-okpebholo-edo-governor-wike-opens-up/