Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the All Progressives Congress would have won the Osun State governorship election if President Bola Tinubu had been determined to secure victory “at all costs.”

Wike made the comment on Tuesday while inspecting flood-prone areas in Maitama, Abuja, where he also reflected on the outcome of the recently concluded Osun governorship election.

The minister, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party but has continued to support the Tinubu administration, said he would have personally gone to Osun to help deliver victory for the APC if that had been the President’s wish.

“If the President had wanted to win the Osun State election at all costs, I would have been there and we would have won it, and there’s nothing the governor can do,” Wike said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the election.

Wike also spoke about the 2027 presidential election, predicting that Tinubu would face a less difficult contest than he did in 2023.

According to the FCT minister, the opposition has become significantly weakened and lacks the organisational strength required to mount a serious challenge against the President.

“2027 elections will be the easiest one for the President compared to 2023,” Wike said.

He added, “This time around, the opposition has been crippled, homeless, no feather.”

Wike’s comments are likely to fuel further debate within political circles over the role of federal influence in elections and the strength of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election