Wike: Tinubu Allowed Free, Fair Election That Gave Adeleke Osun Victory

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party won the recent Osun State governorship election because President Bola Tinubu allowed the poll to be free and fair.

Wike stated this on Tuesday while speaking during an inspection of flood-affected areas in the Federal Capital Territory.

Reacting to the August 15 election, the minister dismissed allegations that the Federal Government manipulated the poll, insisting that President Tinubu allowed the democratic process to take its course.

Wike said the election outcome demonstrated that the Federal Government did not deploy its influence to undermine the opposition.

He said, “The President called him… congratulating him (Adeleke). What does it tell you? If Tinubu did not allow a free and fair election, would they have won? No!”

The minister also rejected claims that federal might was being used to influence elections, citing his experience of previous electoral contests.

“When you say force of the federal government… ask those who have survived it, though—people like me who survived federal might. It’s not by saying ‘they say, they say.’ It’s not true,” he said.

Wike urged political observers to distinguish between off-cycle governorship elections and presidential contests, arguing that the outcome of a state election should not automatically be interpreted as an indication of what would happen in a presidential election.

Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 election.

The incumbent polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a margin of 66,252 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Meanwhile, Wike also addressed the recurring flooding in parts of the FCT, cautioning against politicising the problem without addressing its underlying causes.

He said some critics had used the flooding incidents to attack the administration rather than acknowledge its achievements in other areas.

The minister maintained that both government officials and residents have roles to play in preventing flooding, particularly by ensuring that drainage channels and waterways are not obstructed.

Wike also rejected suggestions that poor residents were responsible for major encroachments on waterways and restricted areas.

According to him, several structures obstructing drainage channels were built by wealthy Nigerians and had existed for years before the current administration.