A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has questioned the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following his comments on the outcome of the Osun State governorship election and his decision not to take up a role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), made his position known in a statement issued on Thursday. He criticised Wike’s claim that the APC could have won the Osun governorship election if President Bola Tinubu had been determined to secure victory “at all costs.”
Wike made the comment on August 18 while inspecting flood-prone areas in Abuja. He said he would have travelled to Osun to help the APC win if the President had chosen to deploy the full political influence of the Federal Government.
His remarks followed the August 15 election in which Governor Ademola Adeleke defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to retain the Osun governorship.
Eze argued that Wike’s statement appeared to give too much weight to his personal political influence and his ability to shape electoral outcomes. He stressed that elections should primarily reflect the choice of voters rather than the influence of individual politicians.
The ADC chieftain also pointed out that Wike is not an APC member, even though he has publicly backed President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Eze linked Wike’s comments to the minister’s recent position on the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign structure. The ruling party has appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General of the campaign council, with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, serving as secretary. President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima were named chairman and vice-chairman respectively.
Wike later said he would have turned down any offer to serve on the campaign council, explaining that his main objective was to help deliver Rivers State and the FCT for Tinubu rather than hold a formal campaign position.
The minister has also maintained that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid. According to him, supporting a presidential candidate does not necessarily mean joining the candidate’s political party or accepting a formal campaign appointment.
Wike said the real test in 2027 would be the ability of politicians to mobilise voters and deliver their wards, local government areas and states.
Eze, however, said the minister’s comments had raised questions about the actual extent of his influence within the ruling party. He accused Wike of portraying his personal political interventions as more decisive than they may be in determining election outcomes.
According to Eze, Wike’s comments on Osun could give the impression that the result might have been different had he personally joined the campaign, a suggestion he said could undermine confidence in the democratic process.
He insisted that electoral legitimacy must come from the electorate and not from the perceived power of individual political figures.
Eze also criticised Wike’s prediction that Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign would be easier than the 2023 presidential contest because, in his assessment, the opposition had become weaker.
The ADC chieftain urged political leaders to be more careful with their public statements, particularly when discussing their ability to influence elections.
He further called for greater scrutiny of the relationship between President Tinubu and Wike, arguing that some of the minister’s public comments deserved closer attention.
Wike, for his part, has consistently said his support for Tinubu is based on his personal political choice and is not dependent on securing a position in the APC campaign structure.
His spokesman, Lere Olayinka, had also dismissed reports that Wike was seeking the position of Director-General of Tinubu’s 2027 campaign, saying the minister did not need an official role to support the President.
Eze urged Nigerians to remain vigilant as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. He called on voters and political stakeholders to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the outcome of the polls reflects the will of the people.
The ADC chieftain also backed calls by groups seeking greater accountability from Wike in his capacity as FCT Minister.
