I would have helped Tinubu win Osun – Wike

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike claimed that he could have helped President Bola Tinubu secure a victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun State governorship election held on August 15 if the President desired a win "at all costs." Wike, who currently serves as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggested that Tinubu did not employ the full influence of the Federal Government to sway the election outcome in favor of the APC.

During a visit to flood-affected areas in Abuja, Wike stated that he would have supported the President if he had chosen to use his political power to ensure an APC victory. "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 affirmed.

In the election, Governor Ademola Adeleke, representing the Accord party, emerged victorious with 511,067 votes, outpacing his closest rivals, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC with 444,815 votes and Najeem Salaam of the ADC with 17,180 votes. Wike attributed the outcome to the absence of federal influence in the election process. When questioned about the congratulatory call from Oyebamiji, Wike maintained that no federal intervention took place in Osun.

He also hinted that Adeleke might have joined the APC if circumstances had been different. Wike predicted that Tinubu would face a comparatively easier road in the 2027 presidential election due to the weakened state of opposition parties, stating, "The 2027 elections will be the easier one for the President compared to 2023."