By: Joy Musa
In a politically charged visit to Edo State on Sunday, July 13, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, advised Governor Monday Okpebholo to exercise restraint regarding calls to probe his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
Speaking in a relaxed setting alongside Governor Okpebholo with a glass of whiskey on the table Wike cautioned against immediate political retaliation. “Let sleeping dogs lie… unless he [Obaseki] starts disturbing you. If he gives you trouble, then probe him,” Wike said, in remarks that have since gone viral across social media platforms.
The visit comes on the heels of mounting pressure from political figures, including APC chieftain and former governor Adams Oshiomhole, who recently urged Okpebholo to investigate Obaseki following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Okpebholo’s election victory.
A photo of Wike and Okpebholo during the visit, shared by rights activist Chidi Odinkalu and captioned “Edo Coalition,” has sparked mixed reactions online, with many interpreting the moment as symbolic of shifting alliances in the state’s political landscape.
The development has reignited scrutiny over Anugbum Onuoha, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State, who is a cousin to Minister Wike. Onuoha previously served as Special Adviser on Lands during Wike’s tenure in Rivers State a connection that has led to concerns about his neutrality ahead of the upcoming governorship elections.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier called for Onuoha’s redeployment, citing potential bias. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the request, emphasizing that the election will be conducted transparently across 4,519 polling units, not in the REC’s office.
In a televised interview, Onuoha defended his competence: “Yes, I am a cousin to the minister, but what Nigerians should be asking is whether I have the capacity to do the job. I was confirmed by the Senate and posted here since 2023 — no one objected then”.
Wike’s visit was originally scheduled to include the commissioning of the newly completed Edo Line Terminal the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal. The event was cancelled following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
As Edo State braces for its next political chapter, Wike’s remarks and the surrounding controversies underscore the delicate balance between governance and political loyalty.
