Former Rivers State Governor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stirred fresh political controversy after declaring that he would reveal what he described as the “true winner” of the 2023 presidential election.

 

Wike, in remarks attributed to him on Tuesday, claimed he played a decisive role in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that resources from Rivers State were deployed to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the election.

 

“I will reveal the true winner of the 2023 presidential election. Peter Obi should be prepared to forgive me, as I will expose the APC’s inner workings,” Wike was quoted as saying. “I played a crucial role in founding the APC, utilizing resources from Rivers State to secure Tinubu’s presidency. As a key figure, I will not go down without a fight.”

 

The statement, which has since generated intense reactions across the political space, appears to reference Wike’s well-known rift with the leadership of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his alignment with the APC during the 2023 general elections despite remaining a PDP member at the time.

 

Wike’s comments also directly reference Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, whose supporters have consistently questioned the credibility of the election outcome.

 

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC nor the Presidency has officially responded to the claims. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Bola Tinubu winner of the 2023 presidential election, a result that was subsequently upheld by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and the Supreme Court.

 

Political analysts say Wike’s remarks, if substantiated, could further inflame political tensions and reopen debates around the conduct of the 2023 polls, though they caution that extraordinary claims would require credible evidence.

 

Observers also note that the comments may signal escalating political battles ahead of the 2027 general elections, as alignments, grievances, and power struggles continue to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.