According to a video posted on the official YouTube channel of Trust TV on Sunday, June 21, 2026, public affairs analyst, Jide Ojo, has described the political endorsement of Rivers State’s strongman, Nyesom Wike, as a decisive factor in Nigerian electoral contests, arguing that the former governor’s backing goes far beyond mere words.
Ojo made the submission while analysing the outcome of the off-cycle governorship election in Ekiti State and the federal constituency bye-elections conducted across five states at the weekend.
Speaking on the monetised nature of Nigerian elections, the analyst noted that securing victory at the polls requires not just financial muscle but also a robust political structure — two elements he said Wike commands in abundance.
He further argued that the high cost of electioneering in Nigeria leaves most opposition candidates financially incapacitated, making powerful endorsements from political heavyweights all the more consequential.
He stated: “When Wike endorses you, he puts his own resources behind you to make sure that you are victorious.”
