Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State, has emphasized that the people of the state will ultimately determine who becomes their next governor. He made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program on Monday.
Ighodalo dismissed the idea that political heavyweights, such as former Rivers State governor and current minister, Nyesom Wike, could sway the decision of the electorate. He argued that the responsibility for selecting Edo State’s next leader belongs to its people, not any external figure.
This came after Wike, in a statement the previous Friday, declared that he would not back Ighodalo, despite the candidate being endorsed by the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki. Wike expressed frustration, referencing his previous support for Obaseki’s campaign, which he felt did not yield positive results. “I told them (Obaseki and Ighodalo) when they came to me that I am not going to support you, neither am I going to support anybody. The one I supported, it never helped anything. Rather I was insulted. I supported him (Obaseki) the last time, what happened? I became a stupid man,” Wike stated.
In response, Ighodalo clarified that Wike’s comments did not reflect their earlier conversations. He suggested that circumstances might have changed since their discussion and acknowledged Wike’s right to adjust his stance. Ighodalo added, “I believe as a gentleman that he would adhere to the word he gave me but if he has changed his mind, so be it.”
According to Ighodalo, when he spoke with Wike, their conversation was centered on governance, national issues, and improving the country, particularly Edo State. He stated that their conversation concluded with Wike indicating that he would not interfere in Edo State’s affairs. “At the end of the day, we ended the conversations at a point where he said he will mind his business and Edo State is not part of his business,” Ighodalo noted.
Nonetheless, Ighodalo reiterated that if Wike has since reconsidered his position, he is free to do so, but the final decision rests with the voters in Edo State. “The decision as to who becomes the next governor of Edo State is the decision of the Edo State people; it’s not the decision of anybody else, whether you’ve been a governor or you’re a minister. It’s only Edo State citizens and people that reside in Edo State who carry PVCs in Edo State that take that decision with the support of God Almighty and that’s the way I see it. I fear no man, I only fear God,” Ighodalo asserted.
