Politics
I Would Have Been in Osun If Tinubu Wanted APC to Win Governorship Election - Nyesom Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he would have been physically present in Osun State if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had wanted the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win the recent governorship election. His comment has stirred fresh political discussion over the level of support and mobilisation expected from senior political actors during off-cycle elections.
Wike’s statement suggests that his absence from the Osun election was deliberate and linked to his understanding of the political direction of the leadership. The former Rivers State governor has remained an influential figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly following his appointment to the federal cabinet despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The remark also comes amid wider debates over the involvement of governors, ministers, party leaders and other influential politicians in off-cycle elections. Former President Goodluck Jonathan recently criticised the growing practice of senior political figures converging on states during elections, warning that excessive political mobilisation could create tension, intimidation and undue pressure on voters.
Wike’s comments are therefore likely to generate further reactions within political circles, particularly regarding the relationship between national political leadership and electoral outcomes at the state level. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the role of influential political figures and the extent of their involvement in campaigns are expected to remain major issues of public debate.
