African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain Dele Momodu has dismissed Nyesom Wike’s claim that he could have helped the All Progressives Congress, APC, win the Osun governorship election.
Momodu said the Federal Capital Territory Minister would not have changed the outcome even if he had personally gone to Osun.
Speaking on News Central Television on Wednesday, the Ovation publisher described Wike’s statement as an “empty boast.”
“When I listened to him, I had to respond instantly because I knew that was an empty boast. If he had been in Osun, he would not have achieved anything,” Momodu said.
Wike had earlier claimed that he would have been in Osun to help the APC secure victory if President Bola Tinubu had wanted the party to win the election “at all costs.”
Momodu argued that Wike’s political influence could not be greater than that of the Senate President and several APC governors who were unable to deliver the state for the ruling party.
“He is not bigger than the Senate President and all the governors who carried themselves to Osun to try to deliver Osun to the APC,” he said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party won the August 15 election after polling 511,067 votes.
APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji came second with 444,815 votes.
Momodu also warned that Wike’s remarks should not be dismissed lightly as the country moves towards the 2027 general election.
“But the danger in his statement must be noted, especially as we approach January 2027,” he said.
He accused the FCT minister of overstating his electoral strength and recalled the performance of members of the former PDP G-5 governors in the 2023 elections.
Momodu said three of the governors who later contested senatorial seats lost, arguing that political office does not give any individual absolute control over voters.
“So, that is to tell you that governors don’t have the power of life and death,” he said.
“Wike would have to divide himself into 36 states plus Abuja for him to perform the kind of magic he thinks he can perform.”
Momodu described Wike’s original statement as “unusual, uncommon and unfortunate” for a serving minister of the Federal Republic.
