Why Adeleke Thanked Tinubu After Osun Victory — Wike

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

Wike made the disclosure during a media parley on Wednesday, where he explained his involvement in the Osun election and his relationship with Adeleke.

The minister said his main concern was whether Adeleke would remain committed to supporting Tinubu if he secured another term as governor. According to him, Adeleke had earlier told him that he supported the President, prompting Wike to seek assurance that he would maintain the position after the election.

Wike said he contacted Adeleke while he was in Croatia and asked him directly whether he would continue to support Tinubu if he emerged victorious. After receiving an assurance from the governor, Wike said he wished him well but decided not to travel to Osun for the election.

Following Adeleke’s victory, Wike said he again contacted the governor and advised him to issue a public statement reaffirming his support for Tinubu. He also asked Adeleke to acknowledge the President for allowing the election to take place under what he described as a free and fair process.

The FCT minister further disclosed that he advised Adeleke to present his Certificate of Return to Tinubu after receiving it from the electoral authorities. Adeleke later visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja and presented the certificate to the President.

Wike said his actions were part of a broader political strategy aimed at weakening the opposition coalition that was seeking to gain influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. He claimed that Adeleke’s public position contributed to the decision of the African Democratic Congress to withdraw from the political arrangement.

Adeleke contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party and defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Osun governor secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji received 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate secured victory in the remaining 11.

Shortly after his victory was announced, Adeleke publicly thanked Tinubu and acknowledged the President’s congratulatory call. His subsequent visit to the Presidential Villa further reinforced the political relationship between the Osun governor and the Federal Government.