FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Tinubu could have ensured victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the recent Osun State governorship election if he had chosen to deploy the influence of the federal government.
Wike, who is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks on Tuesday while inspecting flood-prone locations in Maitama, Abuja.
According to him, the outcome of the Osun governorship election demonstrated that the presidency did not interfere in the electoral process in favour of the APC.
“If the president had wanted to win the Osun state election at all costs, I would have been there and we would have won it, and there’s nothing the governor can do,” Wike said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election after winning 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, secured victory in 11 councils.
Wike argued that the election result should put to rest allegations that the Federal Government manipulated the poll.
“There was no federal might used in Osun. When you see the force and might of the federal government, you will know,” he stated.
The minister also suggested that the political alignment in Osun could have been different under other circumstances.
“Ordinarily, Adeleke would have been with APC if things had worked out well,” he said.
Looking ahead to the next general election, Wike expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s chances of re-election, predicting that the 2027 presidential contest would be less challenging than the 2023 race.
“The 2027 elections will be the easiest one for the President compared to 2023,” he said.
He attributed his optimism to what he described as the weakened condition of opposition political parties.
“This time around, the opposition has been crippled, homeless, no feather,” Wike added.
