‘If Tinubu Didn’t Allow Free Poll, Adeleke Wouldn’t Have Won’ — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has attributed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the recent Osun State governorship election to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to a free and fair process.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during an inspection of flood-affected areas in the FCT.

Reacting to the August 16 Osun governorship election, the minister dismissed allegations that the Federal Government manipulated the poll.

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

He added that the outcome showed the Federal Government did not deploy its influence against the opposition.

“When you talk about the force of the federal government… ask those who have survived it — people like me. It’s not true,” he said.

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Wike also cautioned against equating the results of off-season governorship elections with presidential elections.

According to INEC, Adeleke of the Accord Party won the election with 511,067 votes to defeat APC’s Bola Oyebamiji who scored 444,815 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 LGAs.