Abuja:The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has dismissed accusations that he manipulated the 2023 presidential election results in the South-South region to favor President Bola Tinubu over Labour Party candidate Mr. Peter Obi.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Wike addressed these allegations during an interview on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, labeling them as a ‘baseless narrative’ primarily spread on social media. The allegations sparked widespread criticism and were interpreted by some as a confession of voter manipulation.
Wike clarified that the election results were due to a strategic electoral approach aimed at mitigating major political threats, rather than any illegal activity. He questioned how one person could influence the outcome across thousands of polling units, emphasizing the impracticality of such claims.
He further argued that social media often fails to accurately represent the election realities across Nigeria’s extensive voting network and highlighted the inability of opposition parties to prove rigging claims in court.
Detailing the tactical maneuvers in the South-South, a PDP stronghold, Wike revealed that the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was seen as the main competitor. To counteract this, votes were strategically directed towards Peter Obi to dilute Atiku’s support, ensuring Atiku did not dominate the region.
Wike downplayed Obi’s perceived threat, attributing it to social media hype rather than substantial electoral impact. He insisted that strategic electoral planning was crucial, and manipulation without genuine grassroots support was not feasible in Nigeria.
He concluded by urging analysts and the public to focus on factual electoral processes rather than online narratives, stating that their strategy effectively neutralized their key opponent, Atiku Abubakar.