The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for governor of Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has stressed that Edo indigenes, not politicians like Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, will choose the next governor as the state’s election draws nearer.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ighodalo declared that Edo voters alone will decide who will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He rejected the idea that the outcome would be determined by Wike or that of any other person.
Ighodalo reaffirmed his stance in response to remarks made by Wike last Friday, in which the former governor of Rivers State declared he would not back Ighodalo.
“It’s not correct that Governor Wike said he wasn’t going to support us. Events may have overtaken his decision at that point, and he’s free to change his mind,” Ighodalo said.
He acknowledged the cordial discussions he had with Wike, centred around governance and Nigeria’s broader issues, with Wike ultimately expressing a desire to stay out of Edo’s affairs.
“If he’s decided to change his mind, that’s fine, but the decision as to who becomes the next governor of Edo State is up to the Edo people, not former governors or ministers,” Ighodalo reiterated.
He stressed that only those with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Edo would have the power to choose the next governor.
Over the last year, Edo’s political environment has become more intense. There have been 95 recorded cases of violence, including 35 incidents of election violence.
The election will be held on Saturday 21 with the PDP, the All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party as the leading candidates.
The current governor, Governor Obaseki, has endorsed Ighodalo, a former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), displacing his deputy, Philip Shaibu. However, Okpebholo has received the backing of Shaibu and former governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The people of Edo State, who are spread over 18 local government areas and have over 2.6 million registered voters, will finally choose their future leader.
Due to legal issues and judicial decisions, Edo is one of eight states in Nigeria—along with Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo—where governorship elections are conducted outside of the regular election season.
