Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on July 22, 2025, launched a robust defense of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, while urging Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to cease what he termed “unproductive politicking.”
The statement, delivered during a ministerial briefing, responded to Obi’s recent claims that Okpebholo’s administration, in office since November 2024, has neglected Edo’s infrastructure, pointing to a reported 15% increase in road closures and a 10% rise in urban flooding incidents since the rainy season began.
Wike, a key ally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former adversary of Obi during their time in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), praised Okpebholo’s early achievements, including the launch of a ₦50 billion road rehabilitation project and a ₦20 billion agricultural initiative aimed at reducing the state’s 20% unemployment rate.
Obi had accused the governor of prioritizing political alliances over governance, a critique Wike dismissed as opportunistic, given Obi’s opposition status and ongoing rivalry with the APC. Wike’s defense highlights Okpebholo’s allocation of 12% of the 2025 budget to infrastructure, though independent audits are pending to verify progress.
The minister’s stance is seen by some as an attempt to consolidate APC influence in the South-South region, especially with the 2027 elections looming, while Obi’s camp argues it exposes a lack of accountability. The narrative reflects a deep political divide, with official data offering partial support to both sides, but the absence of comprehensive third-party assessments leaves the debate unresolved.
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