Wike Says He Could Have Won Osun For Tinubu, If…

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has drawn criticism after boasting that he could have secured victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election if the President had wanted to win “at all costs.”

Wike made the remark on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja.

“If the President had wanted to win the Osun State election at all costs, I would be involved, and I would have been there, and Governor Adeleke would have known that it would have been different,” Wike said.

According to him, the President’s decision to allow INEC and stakeholders to manage the process underscores the administration’s respect for the will of the people and the rule of law.

Stakeholders have described the Osun election as one of the most transparent in recent times, with improved logistics, early arrival of materials, and effective use of technology.

The statement has attracted backlash from political observers and civil society groups who described it as an admission of willingness to subvert the electoral process.

Critics argued that the comment undermines INEC’s independence and the credibility of the Osun election, which was widely commended for improved logistics, early deployment of materials, and effective use of technology.

“This kind of bragging is dangerous for our democracy,” one political analyst said. “Elections should be won at the ballot, not by the involvement of political heavyweights.”

The Osun governorship poll was won by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party. INEC and observers had rated the election as one of the most transparent in recent years.

Wike did not play any visible role in the Osun election campaign.

As of press time, the Presidency and the APC had not responded to Wike’s comments.