The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations that he rigged the 2023 presidential election in the South-South in favour of President Bola Tinubu against Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.

Wike, who made the rebuttal in Abuja on Wednesday, described the claim as a ‘baseless narrative propagated primarily on social media”.

Widespread criticism erupted across the political sphere after Wike’s remarks during an interview on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, claiming that his G5 group of governors strategically allowed Obi to win in South-South.

Critics, public commentators, and opposition figures argued that Wike’s statement was a public confession of voter manipulation.

Reacting, Wike clarified that the results were the product of calculated electoral strategy aimed at neutralising major political threats rather than illegal manipulation.

Responding to critics who accused him of altering result sheets in favour of Tinubu, Wike wondered how an individual could single-handedly dictate the outcome across thousands of polling units.

“People who don’t understand, how can they say I rigged the election? How would I have done it? So, I just took the result sheets, wrote it, and gave it to INEC?” he asked.

He emphasised that social media projections often fail to reflect the reality across the country’s vast voting infrastructure.

“I’ve always said social media does not win elections. You have about 176,000 polling units, and probably you have seen 300 polling units and then you rush to the conclusion that so-and-so has won.

“Election outcomes are not predicted this way,” he said.

Wike also noted that in spite of the public outcry following the election, opposition parties failed to substantiate claims of rigging in court.

“You remember that when they went to the tribunal, did anybody tender any result from Rivers to say, ‘look, this is the result, we won’?” he added.

Detailing the tactical approach adopted in the South-South, traditionally a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike explained that PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was identified as the primary threat to their political coalition, known as the G5.

To prevent Atiku from securing the region, Wike explained that their strategy involved routing votes toward Peter Obi in specific areas to split the opposition base and suppress Atiku’s margin.

“We felt that Atiku was more of a factor in that election than Obi. So our strategy was that, make sure that you vote for Obi to win in order to deny Atiku the votes.

“South-South was purely a PDP state and so if we had voted for PDP all through, then Atiku would have won. That was a threat,” he said.

The minister dismissed Obi’s broader national surge as largely cosmetic, noting that strategic calculations required focusing on hard numbers rather than online popularity.

“Obi wasn’t a threat. Obi was merely a threat by social media. Even if Obi had secured Rivers outright, it would not have altered the outcome of the presidential race.

“Assuming Obi won Rivers, add it for him. Would he have won the election?” he asked.

Wike also argued that attempting to manipulate an election without genuine grassroots popularity was impossible in Nigeria’s current political landscape.

“When you talk about rigging, you cannot rig an election where you are not popular. You cannot. If you try that, then you see what will happen to you. People will resist it,” he added.

Wike urged political analysts and the public to focus on electoral mechanics and verified facts rather than online commentary.

“We had our strategy, and that strategy worked well for us.

“Our major opponent was Atiku Abubakar and if we didn’t do that, something would have happened,” he said. (NAN)

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement has commenced mobilisation in Borno State to rally support for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

Borno is the home state of the Vice President.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in Maiduguri on Tuesday and distribution of campaign materials of 44 vehicles, 88 speakers, 44 generators, 44 amplifiers, and 44 microphones, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Square, College of Education, the Grand Patron of the movement, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, urged the people of the state to reciprocate the retention of Vice President Shettima by voting massively for the APC in 2027.

Represented by Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Limited, Tompolo said the people of Borno State should demonstrate the confidence and trust of the President in their son and for all the security gains being recorded in the state by supporting the administration and re-election in 2027.

He urged the party faithful to extend the goodwill extended to President Tinubu to the grassroots by mobilizing other citizens, noting that the President has laid a solid foundation that will make it easier to build a more prosperous country when victory is achieved in the 2027 general elections.

Furthermore, he showered praises on the Borno State Governor for the visible development strides that greet every visitor to the state and appealed to the electorate to vote for the APC governorship flag bearer to ensure the continuity of these achievements.

The campaign unveiling was performed by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his deputy, Umar Usman Kadafur, and supported by party chieftains.

Flagging off the campaign, the Deputy Governor said the state remains prepared for what he described as massive grassroots support for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.                                                                                                  

Addressing party faithful, the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Ali Bukar Dalori, called on members to take the campaign to the grassroots and mobilise support for President Tinubu.

Borno APC governorship candidate, Engineer Mustapha Gubio, said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated what he described as dividends of democracy, pledging continued support for the Tinubu–Shettima ticket in 2027.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has warned the public against dealing with impostors parading themselves as candidates and leaders of the party in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

The party also said that it was yet to join any coalition or working arrangement with any other political party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the party’s Founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam.

“It has come to the knowledge of NNPP leadership that certain individuals, who have been expelled from our fold, confirmed by court judgments and INEC, have been parading themselves as leaders of the party with the intent to extort money from unsuspecting political parties and candidates.

Aniebonam particularly urged the APC, NDC and ADC to be very cautious in dealing with people who come as representatives of other parties without proof.

“All contestants, coalition or political parties, who may have been duped, should go back to the impostors for a refund of their money paid as contestants’ fees or for alliance.

“The authentic NNPP with the basket of fruits logo is not a member of any coalition. It stands to reason that as a national political party, we are independent,” Aniebonam stated.

According to him, the NNPP will announce certain decisions with regard to strategic alliances with any of the political parties for purposes of the 2027 general elections if there is need to.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the following people have the mandate of NNPP as the authentic leaders to speak and take informed decisions on behalf of the party.

“These are the recognised officials by INEC.

“The officers include, Dr Boniface Aniebonam, Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees; Dr Agbo Major, National Chairman; Oginni Olaposi, National Secretary; Prince Toyese, National Treasurer; and Aisha Kade Onyia, National Woman Leader,” Aniebonam stated.(NAN)