Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Dele Momodu replies to comments by Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about the recently concluded Osun State governorship election. Momodu says Wike’s statement is an “empty boast,” arguing that Wike’s influence is being overstated.

Wike had said he would have gone to Osun to help secure an All Progressives Congress (APC) victory if President Bola Tinubu had wanted the party to win. In his response, Momodu says Wike cannot be “bigger than” the Senate President and other governors who, he claims, travelled to Osun to support the APC but did not achieve the result. He also warns that Wike’s rhetoric could point to an enforcement-style strategy ahead of later elections.

Momodu further argues that political outcomes show governors do not hold decisive power, citing examples of governors abandoning the PDP in a prior election and describing failed attempts to win senatorial seats in their states. The outlets report Momodu made his remarks during an interview on News Central Television on Wednesday.