Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has suggested that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could have won the recent Osun State governorship election if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had deployed the influence and resources of the Federal Government to support the party.
Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks while speaking during an inspection of flood-affected and flood-prone areas in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the minister, the outcome of the election indicated that the Federal Government deliberately allowed the electoral process to proceed without using its political influence to secure an APC victory.
“If the President had wanted to ensure an APC victory in Osun State at all costs, my involvement would have been apparent, and the governor would have understood that the dynamics would have changed,” Wike said.
Adeleke defeats APC candidate
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, was declared the winner of the August 15 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adeleke polled 511,067 votes and won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.
His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, secured 444,815 votes and won the remaining 11 local government areas.
Wike argued that the election demonstrated that federal influence was not brought to bear in favour of the APC.
“Federal influence was not exerted in Osun. When you see federal power in action, it is unmistakable,” he said.
Wike speaks on Adeleke and 2027
The FCT minister also suggested that political circumstances could have led Adeleke to align with the APC.
“Normally, Adeleke would likely have joined the APC under different circumstances,” Wike said.
Although he remains a member of the PDP, Wike has continued to express support for President Tinubu and his administration.
He also predicted that Tinubu would face an easier presidential election in 2027 than he did in 2023.
“The elections in 2027 will be simpler for the President than those in 2023,” Wike said.
The minister attributed his prediction to what he described as a weakened opposition, arguing that opposition parties currently lack the resources and direction required to mount a strong challenge.
“This time, the opposition is weakened, lacking resources and direction,” he added.
Wike’s comments come amid continued political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians across different parties positioning themselves and assessing the strength of potential alliances.
