Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni has criticised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Rufai accused Wike of “gaslighting” Nigerians over claims that the Federal Government did not deploy its full influence and resources during the election.
He argued that significant political efforts and resources were allegedly deployed in support of the APC, but the party still failed to defeat incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11, giving Adeleke a margin of 66,252 votes.
Wike had argued that the APC would have won if President Bola Tinubu had deployed the full weight of federal power.
Reacting, Rufai dismissed the claim, saying it amounted to denial of the political activities and resources allegedly deployed during the election.
He maintained that federal-aligned interests made substantial efforts to influence the outcome but were unsuccessful because Osun voters resisted the pressure and voted for their preferred candidate.
