By Our Correspondent
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised what he described as a double standard in the way opposition politicians react to electoral outcomes in Nigeria.
Wike made the remarks while reflecting on the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, where the opposition secured victory.
According to the minister, politicians often question the credibility of an election when the result does not favour them, accusing the Federal Government of interference or manipulation.
However, he said the narrative changes completely when the same politicians emerge victorious, as they quickly celebrate the process and describe the election as credible.
Wike argued that political actors should learn to accept electoral outcomes regardless of whether they win or lose, stressing that democracy can only thrive when participants respect the rules and decisions of voters.
The former Rivers State governor also pointed to the Osun election as an indication that the Federal Government was not determined to use its influence to secure victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He maintained that if the Federal Government had wanted to deploy its full political influence to ensure an APC victory in Osun State, the outcome could have been different.
Rather, Wike said, the election demonstrated that voters were allowed to make their choice at the ballot box.
The minister’s comments come amid continued political debate over the credibility of elections in Nigeria and growing preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Wike also used the development to take a swipe at opposition parties, arguing that their divisions could make it difficult for them to mount a strong challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
He urged politicians to focus more on strengthening democratic institutions and winning the confidence of Nigerians instead of repeatedly questioning electoral results whenever they suffer defeat.
The minister’s position has nevertheless generated reactions across the political landscape, with supporters and critics expected to continue debating whether recent elections have been sufficiently free and fair.
For Wike, however, the central message remains clear: politicians should not condemn an election simply because they lost and celebrate the same electoral process when they emerge victorious.
He maintained that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on political actors demonstrating consistency, accepting legitimate results and allowing voters’ choices to prevail.
