Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revealed that Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, secretly brought Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, to him to seek support for the forthcoming governorship election.
Gatekeepers News reports that in an interview with Channels Television on Friday, Wike expressed surprise that the PDP leadership was complaining about Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), just days before the election.
Wike stated that Onuoha is his first cousin and has been the REC in Edo State for over a year. “When his governor, Obaseki, came to meet me when I was staying in West County to support Ighodalo, he (referring to Aziegbemi) was not there. They did not know that the REC is my cousin,” he said.
The FCT Minister also revealed that Obaseki had brought Ighodalo to his house twice to seek his support, but he refused.
“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 you never helped anything but rather I was insulted.”
Wike criticised the PDP for accusing his cousin, saying, “For accusing my first cousin, they have made a mistake. You know why? I was thinking I am strong; you are meeting a rock (Onuoha). Even the INEC chairman cannot tell him what to do. He is a stubborn man; he will tell him ‘go to hell with your job’.”
The controversy surrounding Onuoha’s appointment as REC has sparked tensions in the state, with the PDP calling for his redeployment over alleged ties with Wike. However, Wike has maintained that his cousin is a competent and independent individual who will conduct a free and fair election.
