Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he asked Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to thank President Bola Tinubu after his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Wike said he wanted Adeleke to reaffirm his support for Tinubu after winning the election, having earlier told him that he backed the President’s 2027 re-election bid.
The minister made the disclosure during a media parley on Wednesday, where he discussed his relationship with Adeleke and his role during the Osun election.
Wike contacted Adeleke before election
According to Wike, his main concern was whether Adeleke would maintain his support for Tinubu if he won the election.
Adeleke had previously told him that he supported the President. Wike said he contacted the governor while he was in Croatia to confirm whether he would keep that commitment.
“My concern: if Adeleke wins, will he still support Mr. President? And I called him, because that’s my own interest. I called him, I said, ‘Listen, you have told me you support Mr. President. Are you going to keep to it?’ He said he was going to keep to it. I said, ‘Okay.’”
Wike said he then wished Adeleke well and did not travel to Osun for the election.
Wike asked Adeleke to thank Tinubu
After Adeleke secured victory, Wike said he contacted him again and reminded him of his earlier commitment.
The FCT minister asked the governor to issue a public statement reaffirming his support for Tinubu. He also asked Adeleke to thank the President for what Wike described as a free and fair election.
“I said, ‘Now you have won, issue a statement. Issue a statement that you still will support Mr. President, and thanking him for a free and fair election,’” Wike said.
Wike also advised Adeleke to present his Certificate of Return to Tinubu after receiving it.
“I don’t need to call Mr. President.. I don’t need to go and tell Mr. President.”
Wike explains political strategy
The minister said his intervention formed part of a wider political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to Wike, the aim was to prevent opposition politicians from using Adeleke’s victory to gain political advantage with the President.
“What was that strategy? To knock off these people you call coalition coming to the… to come and curry favor, when Adeleke issued that statement, ADC withdrew,” Wike said.
Adeleke contested the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party amid its internal crisis.
He defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 election. Adeleke secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Adeleke reaffirmed support for Tinubu
Following his victory, Adeleke publicly thanked Tinubu and acknowledged the President’s congratulatory call.
The governor also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s bid to return to office in 2027. His endorsement later attracted praise from Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Wike said he did not need to inform Tinubu about his role in securing Adeleke’s reaffirmation. The minister maintained that his actions reflected his political strategy and his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
