In a recent interview with Channels TV, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, acknowledged influencing the appointment of his first cousin as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo State.
Wike defended his actions, stating, “Why shouldn’t I? I should influence my enemy’s appointment.” He emphasized that it’s natural to support one’s own family members, saying, “I should not say please help him to be appointed. What nonsense is that?”
The minister attributed the criticism surrounding his cousin’s appointment to his refusal to support Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki’s preferred candidate, Asue Ighodalo, of the Peoples Democratic Party. Wike revealed that Obaseki had approached him twice to support Ighodalo, unaware that the REC was his cousin.
Wike asserted that his cousin’s appointment was made over a year ago and that he is a strong individual who cannot be swayed by external pressures, including the INEC chairman. He confidently stated, “They are meeting a rock. Even the INEC chairman cannot tell him what to do. He will tell you to go to hell with your job.”
