Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he would have been in Osun State to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu had wanted the party to secure victory in the governorship election.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday while inspecting flood-prone areas in Abuja, according to a report by Daily Post.
The former Rivers State governor said his decision not to be in Osun during the election was linked to his understanding of the president’s position on the contest. Wike maintained that if Tinubu had wanted the APC to win the election at all costs, he would have travelled to the state to contribute to the party’s campaign and efforts.
The comment has drawn attention because of Wike’s position as a senior figure in Nigeria’s political landscape and his continued involvement in national political affairs.
Wike, who currently serves as FCT minister, has remained a prominent political figure since leaving office as governor of Rivers State. His activities and statements frequently attract attention because of his influence within Nigeria’s political circles.
His latest remarks centre on the relationship between the federal leadership and the APC’s efforts at the state level. By saying that he would have been present in Osun if the president had prioritised victory, Wike suggested that his involvement would have depended on the importance attached to the election by Tinubu.
The statement comes against the backdrop of the political importance of governorship elections in Nigeria, where state-level contests often have implications for the strength and organisation of major political parties.
For the APC, electoral performance in states remains an important part of maintaining its political influence across Nigeria. The party is the ruling political platform at the federal level under President Tinubu.
Wike’s statement therefore provides an insight into how political leaders assess their roles during elections and how decisions about participation can be influenced by the priorities of senior party and government figures.
The minister made the remarks while carrying out an official inspection of areas in Abuja that are vulnerable to flooding. He used the occasion to comment on his involvement, or lack of involvement, in the Osun governorship contest.
Wike’s comments are likely to generate further political discussion in Nigeria, particularly over the level of support given to candidates and political parties during state elections.
For international observers following Nigerian politics, the remarks also highlight the significance of political alliances and the influence of nationally prominent politicians in the country’s electoral contests.
The statement does not indicate that Wike was formally assigned by Tinubu to lead the APC’s campaign in Osun. Rather, Wike said he would have been present had the president wanted the party to win the election at all costs.
His comments add another layer to the political debate surrounding the Osun election and the performance of the APC in the state.
