Wike revealed why he asked Adeleke to thank Tinubu after Osun election victory

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he personally advised the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, to publicly thank President Bola Tinubu after winning the August 15 gubernatorial election.

Wike made this known in a media talk broadcast on Channels Television on Wednesday, where he explained the role he played behind the scenes during the Osun election and his relationship with Adeleke.

According to the FCT minister, his main concern before the election was whether Adeleke would remain committed to his previous statement of support for President Tinubu if he ultimately won the governorship election.

Wike said he contacted Adeleke while in Croatia to seek clarification on the governor’s political position.

“My concern was: if Adeleke wins, will he still support Mr President? And I called him, because it was in my own interest. I called him, I said ‘Listen, you already told me that you support Mr President. Are you going to continue doing that?’ He said he would keep doing it. I said, ‘Okay.’

“I wish him luck. I don’t have to go to Osun.”

Following Adeleke’s victory, Wike said he again contacted Adeleke and instructed Adeleke to clarify his position publicly by reaffirming his support for Tinubu and appreciating the President for what he considered to be a free and fair election process.

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“After that election, go and ask Adeleke. I told Adeleke, I called him when I was in Croatia. I said, ‘You told me you supported Mr. President?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Now that you’ve won, issue a statement. Issue a statement that you will still support Mr. President, and thank him for a free and fair election.’”

The Minister said he did not stop there, adding that he also advised Adeleke to personally hand over his Certificate of Return to President Tinubu.

“I didn’t need to go and tell anyone. I didn’t need to go and tell Mr. President. I didn’t need to. He issued a statement. I also told him, ‘Adeleke, when you receive your Certificate of Return, go and show it to Mr. President.'”

Wike explained that his actions were part of his broader political strategy against opposition forces seeking to build influence ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I don’t need to call Mr President ‘I want…’ No, I didn’t do that. This is my job. What was the strategy? To bring down the people you call the coalition came to… to come and curry favor, when Adeleke made that statement, the ADC withdrew.”

Adeleke, who contested the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party, defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Oyebamiji, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

After being declared the winner of the election, Adeleke publicly thanked President Tinubu and revealed that the President had personally contacted him to congratulate him.

“And of course, I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr President. Mr President has called me and he has congratulated me. And I thank Mr President for ensuring that democracy remains alive because you have fought for it, Mr President,” said Adeleke.

The governor polled 511,067 votes compared to Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas in Osun State, while APC candidates achieved victory in the remaining 11 areas.