Publisher and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has dismissed a boast made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, describing the statement as “an empty boast.”
Speaking during an interview on News Central Television on Wednesday night, August 19, Momodu responded to Wike's claim that he would have been in Osun State to help secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu had wanted the party to win the election at all cost.
Momodu Calls Wike's Statement Unfortunate and Empty
Momodu slammed the statement, calling it unfortunate, and warned Nigerians to take note of the minister’s rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections. “I think it was a very unusual, uncommon and unfortunate statement for a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make, but nothing is beyond our friend, Wike, the FCT Minister,” Momodu said.
“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,” he added.
Wike's Influence Not Greater Than Senate President and Governors
Momodu argued that Wike’s influence could not be greater than that of the Senate President and several governors who were unable to secure the desired result in Osun State. “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. But the danger in his statement must be noted, especially as we approach January 2027,” he said.
He further warned that the only way the APC could win the next presidential election and all governorship elections is to repeat what they attempted in Osun and failed woefully. “The only way the APC can win the next presidential election and all the governorship elections is very simple. They will need to repeat what they attempted in Osun and failed woefully,” Momodu stated.
Momodu Reminds Wike of G-5 Governors' Failures
Momodu also reminded Wike of past failures, noting that five governors abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, with three from Abia, Enugu, and Benue states. “I need to also remind Wike, in case he has already forgotten, that five of them abandoned the PDP in the last election, and three of them were from Abia, Enugu and Benue states,” he said.
He added that the then governors, three of the G-5 governors, attempted to win senatorial seats in their respective states and also failed spectacularly. “So, that is to tell you that governors don’t have the power of life and death,” Momodu said.
Momodu concluded by emphasizing that Wike would have to divide himself into 36 states plus Abuja to perform the kind of magic he thinks he can perform in the 2027 election. “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 said.
