Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he personally asked Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to publicly thank President Bola Tinubu following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Wike made the disclosure during a media parley held on Wednesday and broadcast by Channels Television.
The minister explained that his interest in the election was partly tied to Adeleke’s previous assurance that he supported Tinubu and would continue to back the President if re-elected as governor.
According to Wike, he contacted Adeleke while he was in Croatia to confirm whether the governor would maintain his support for Tinubu if he emerged victorious at the polls.
Wike said he was satisfied with Adeleke’s response and wished him success, adding that he saw no need to travel to Osun State during the election.
“My concern: if Adeleke wins, will he still support Mr. President? And I called him, because that’s my own interest.”
He said Adeleke assured him that he would remain supportive of the President.
Wike further revealed that after the election, he instructed Adeleke to issue a public statement reaffirming his support for Tinubu and appreciating the President for what he described as ensuring a free and fair election.
He said the request was also intended to demonstrate Adeleke’s commitment to the position he had earlier communicated to him.
Wike said he told Adeleke to publicly acknowledge Tinubu after the election and later present his Certificate of Return to the President.
“Now you have won, issue a statement that you still will support Mr. President, and thanking him for a free and fair election.”
The FCT minister said he also advised Adeleke to personally present his Certificate of Return to Tinubu after receiving the document.
According to Wike, Adeleke followed the advice and subsequently issued a statement thanking the President.
Wike said he did not need to personally approach Tinubu about the matter because he considered the move part of his own political strategy.
Wike said his actions were also connected to efforts to weaken the influence of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that Adeleke’s public declaration of support for Tinubu affected the opposition’s calculations, claiming that the African Democratic Congress subsequently withdrew from the political manoeuvring around the Osun governor.
“What was that strategy? To knock off these people you call coalition coming to curry favour.”
The minister maintained that he preferred to act politically without necessarily informing the President about every move he made.
Adeleke contested the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, after securing 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes.
The incumbent won in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.
Shortly after his victory was announced, Adeleke publicly thanked Tinubu and disclosed that the President had called to congratulate him.
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Adeleke praised Tinubu for his role in ensuring what he described as the survival of democracy, saying the President had contributed to the conduct of the election.
Wike’s revelation adds another layer to the political developments surrounding the Osun election and the wider realignment expected ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adeleke’s public appreciation of Tinubu, despite contesting under the Accord Party, has also drawn attention to the shifting political relationships among opposition figures and the Federal Government.
