Wike, Obaseki, Fintiri Meet over Edo Guber

•Plots soft landing for Ighodalo

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, met with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja, Tuesday night, as part of the peace deal to secure his support for Asue Ighodalo’s governorship bid in the unfolding contest for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.

Before the meeting with the FCT minister, it was learnt that a governor from one of the southwest states and the vice national chairman of the party in the South South were the ones opposed to Igbodalo’s aspiration.

Obaseki, however, brought with him, one of Wike’s friends and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, to help persuade the members of the G5, to support the aspiration of Igbodalo.

The meeting, it was gathered was part of the measures to create a soft landing for Obaseki and his adopted aspirant, Igbodalo.

The meeting took place at Wells Carlton Hotel, Abuja.

THISDAY had Monday reported the petition against Igbodalo by some members of the party on the ground that he was not qualified to contest as his waiver was genuinely obtained.

The screening committee, however, overlooked the objection contained in the petition and qualified Igbodalo to stand for the primary election slated for February 22.

Obaseki’s peace move was  necessitated by the reality of a strong opposition from Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a former member of the House of Representatives and the preferred candidate of Dan Orbih, Wike’s key ally in Edo State.

Ighodalo is seeking the governorship ticket of the PDP in Edo State in the February 22, 2024 primary election. There is also the challenge from Philip Shaibu, the current deputy governor.

Although Ighodalo has expressed confidence in winning the party’s ticket, going into the primary against Ogbeide-Ihama and Shaibu was viewed in Obaseki’s camp as a delicate game.

At the meeting with Wike, Obaseki was said to have sought “reconciliation” and apologised for previous misunderstanding between them.

Ighodalo would be willing to pick Ogbeide-Ihama as his running mate, according to the deal offered by Obaseki.

Wike reportedly told him point-blank that he would not have any dealings with him as he was not known to have kept faith with anyone that assisted him in the past.

Hence, Wike demanded a “level-playing field so that the most acceptable candidate can win,” it was learnt.