In the lead-up to the Edo State governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki has firmly stated that the people of Edo do not need external influence to decide whom to vote for.
This declaration comes amidst a backdrop of political tension with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who played a significant role in Obaseki's re-election campaign in 2020.
Obaseki emphasized the autonomy of Edo voters during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, saying, “Edo people are not that dumb, they know who to vote for.
They don’t require the services of an outsider to make their decisions. Edo people will make their decisions this time because they know what they want.”
The relationship between Obaseki and Wike has deteriorated since the 2020 election. Wike, who was instrumental in Obaseki's defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has now chosen to remain neutral in the upcoming election.
He has explicitly stated that he will not support the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, despite Obaseki's attempts to secure his backing.
Reflecting on his fallout with Wike, Obaseki remarked, “He (Wike) came to get Edo people to vote for me, right? Wow! Edo people are not that dumb, they know who to vote for.”
Obaseki also addressed his decision to cut ties with several political associates, including his predecessor Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Philip Shaibu. He defended these actions by highlighting his commitment to using government revenue for public welfare, which he believes has caused discontent among some politicians.
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