On Monday, Asue Ighodalo, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, asserted that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, lacks the authority to decide the outcome of the state’s governorship election.
Ighodalo’s comments were in response to Wike’s recent claim that he informed Governor Godwin Obaseki, who visited with the PDP candidate, that he would not support Ighodalo in the September 21 election.
Ighodalo made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The controversy follows Wike’s revelation on Friday’s edition of the same program that Obaseki brought Ighodalo to seek his support for the upcoming election.
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Wike also expressed surprise at reports that Edo PDP chairman Tony Aziegbemi had requested the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anugbum Onuoha, due to his association with Wike.
Onuoha, who is Wike’s first cousin, previously served as Wike’s special adviser on lands during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
“When Obaseki brought Ighodalo to my house two times to support him, they did not know the REC was my cousin. It is just today that they know that he (Onuoha) is my cousin. That is the problem I have with this country.
“I told them (Obaseki and Ighodalo) when they came to see me that I’m not going to support Ighodalo. Neither am I going to support anybody. The one I supported never helped anything but rather I was insulted,” Wike stated.
On Monday, Ighodalo expressed his disappointment with the FCT Minister’s position, stating it did not reflect the outcome of their previous meeting.
He emphasized that the result of the September 21 election would be determined by the people of Edo State, not by Wike or any other political figure.
He said, “Sometimes when gentlemen talk in some kind of privacy or arrangements, we don’t voice out what has been said. But it is not correct that (former) Governor Wike said he wasn’t going to support us. That’s incorrect. But events may have overtaken his decision at that point and he is free to change his mind.
“I believe, as a gentleman, he would adhere to the word he gave me. But if he changed his mind, so be it. When he and I spoke, we deliberated on issues around fair governance, and how we can create a better country and Edo State. At the end of the day, we ended the conversation at a point where Wike said he would mind his business and Edo State is not part of his business.
“Again, if he has decided to change his mind, that’s fine. But the decision as to who becomes the next governor of Edo State is the decision of the people. It is not his or anybody else’s to make.
“Whether you are a governor or a minister, it is only Edo citizens and residents who have their PVCs who can take that decision with the support of God Almighty. I fear no man, I only fear God.”
He emphasized that he would accept defeat graciously and congratulate the winner if his party did not prevail.
However, the PDP candidate expressed strong confidence in his ability to defeat his opponents.
“Honestly, if we lose this election and we know we’ve lost it fairly and squarely, I will be the first to concede. But I know we can’t lose this election if there is a level playing field for everybody.
“We have related with the people of Edo State and told them what we plan to do for them. They trust us and will vote for us. All the polls and indicators (seen so far) support us. So I have no fear,” he stated
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