Wike Claims His Rainbow Coalition Helped Okpebholo Defeat PDP In Edo Governorship Election

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that his Rainbow Coalition played a significant role in the emergence of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of Edo State in the 2024 governorship election.

Wike made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja while addressing stakeholders of the Rainbow Coalition, where he explained why he refused to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, despite acknowledging his qualifications.

According to the minister, he was determined to prevent the then-outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, from installing a successor. He argued that supporting Ighodalo would have effectively allowed Obaseki to retain political influence in the state.

Wike disclosed that Ighodalo visited him more than three times in an attempt to secure his support, but he maintained his position against backing the PDP candidate.

He said he considered Ighodalo a capable candidate but viewed the election as a contest against Obaseki’s political influence rather than simply a choice between individual candidates.

Wike claimed that the Rainbow Coalition subsequently supported Okpebholo, helping the APC candidate defeat Ighodalo in the election.

In a related development, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has threatened to arrest the contractor handling a section of the Benin-Abraka Road over alleged abandonment of the project after receiving payment from the previous administration.

The governor reportedly issued the warning on Friday while addressing APC members in Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas during a tour aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement released on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Okpebholo alleged that the contractor was a friend of former governor Obaseki.

The governor explained that he had intended to address the poor condition of the road but faced constraints because of contractual agreements entered into by the previous administration.

He added that the road project had been awarded to two contractors, noting that one of them was making progress on its assigned section, which he said was approximately 75 per cent complete.

Okpebholo’s threat reflects his administration’s stated intention to address concerns over the execution of inherited infrastructure projects, although the allegations against the contractor would require appropriate investigation and due process.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Wike’s comments have renewed attention to the political alliances that shaped the 2024 Edo governorship election, while Okpebholo’s warning has highlighted continuing concerns over the completion of road projects inherited from the previous administration.