Obaseki’s Support for Ighodalo Faces Threat
GovernorGodwinObasekiofEdoState’sbackingof AsueIghodalo’sgovernorshipbidappearstobefacing threat, forcingthegovernortoinitiatereconciliatory moveswiththeMinisteroftheFederalCapitalTerritory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Ighodalo is seeking the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State in the February 22, 2024 primary election.
It was gathered that Obaseki’s peace moves were informed by the reality of a strong opposition from Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the HouseofRepresentativesandthepreferredcandidate of Dan Orbih, Wike’s key ally in Edo State
Obaseki’sdecisiontomeetwithWike,hiserstwhile politicalenemywasjustanecessarystephehadtomake to clear the way for his candidate since the minister appears to be gearing up for a political battle with the governor.
Although Ighodalo has expressed confidence in winning the party’s ticket, going into the primary againstOgbeide-IhamaandObaseki’sdeputy,Phillip ShaibuisviewedinObaseki’scampasadelicategame.
AccordingtothedealofferedbyObaseki,Ighodalo wouldbewillingtopickOgbeide-Ihamaashisrunning mate.
Asourceprivytothemeeting,statedthatObaseki sought “reconciliation” and apologised for previous misunderstanding between them.
But Wike, who apparently has been waiting for Obaseki, reportedly told him point-blank that he would not have any dealings with him because he is notknowntohavekeptfaithwithanyonethatassisted him in the past.
TheCablereportedthathethendemandeda“levelplaying field so that the most acceptable candidate can win.”
Obaseki fell out with Wike in 2020 shortly after defecting to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress(APC)andsecuringhisnewparty’sgovernorship ticket to run for a second term.
He had left the APC after a face-off with Adams Oshiomhole,whodecidedtobackIzeIyamu,formerly of the PDP, in the 2020 governorship election. Of course, Obaseki won his re-election bid but fell out with Wike thereafter.
InthepresidentialprimaryofthePDPaheadofthe 2023generalelection,ObasekibackedAbubakarAtiku against Wike for the ticket.
It is not clear if Wike will accept Obaseki’s olive branch,whichissaidtobefacilitatedbytheGovernor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri.