- Odibo Victory
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that he asked Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to reaffirm his support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection after winning the 2026 governorship election.
Wike made the disclosure during a media parley with the African Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday, while explaining his role in the political developments surrounding the election.
According to him, Adeleke was initially a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before moving to the Accord Party amid the crisis within the PDP to secure his governorship ticket.
Wike said he was not in Nigeria on election day, adding that his main concern was whether Adeleke would continue to support Tinubu if he emerged victorious.
“I called him and said he told me he would support Mr President. I asked him, are you going to keep to it? He said he was going to keep to it and I wished him good luck,” he said.
Wike further disclosed that after Adeleke won the election, he called on him to publicly reaffirm his support for Tinubu and thank the President for what he described as a free and fair election.
“After that election, go on record and ask Adeleke. I called Adeleke when I was in Croatia. You told me you would support Mr President if you win. Now you have won. Issue a statement that you still support Mr President and thanking him for a free and fair election,” he said.
“I don’t need to tell anyone or the President.”
In the same vein, he also asked Adeleke to present his certificate of return to Tinubu when he received it.
“I also told Adeleke that when he sees his certificate of return, he should present it to the President,” Wike added.
According to Wike, the strategy was aimed at weakening opposition forces, noting that the ADC withdrew from the process after Adeleke issued the statement reaffirming his support for Tinubu.
“That strategy was to knock off these people called opposition. When Adeleke issued that statement, ADC withdrew,” he said.