Why Adeleke thanked Tinubu after Osun poll victory, according to Wike

Nyesom Wike said he wanted one answer from Ademola Adeleke after the Osun governorship election: would the newly victorious governor continue supporting President Bola Tinubu?

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory said he called Adeleke while he was in Croatia. Adeleke had previously told him that he supported Tinubu, and Wike said he wanted to know whether that position would survive an election victory. Adeleke, according to Wike, said he would remain loyal to the president.

Wike said he then asked Adeleke to issue a public statement reaffirming that support and thanking Tinubu for what he called a free and fair election. “After that election, go and ask Adeleke. I told Adeleke, I called him when I was in Croatia. I said, ‘You told me you support Mr. President?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ ‘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.’”

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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.’

He also instructed Adeleke to present his Certificate of Return to Tinubu after receiving it. Wike said the actions formed part of a political strategy aimed at countering the opposition coalition seeking influence before the 2027 elections. He said the coalition, referred to as the ADC in his account, withdrew after Adeleke issued the statement.

Adeleke contested on the Accord Party platform and defeated All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, according to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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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 support Mr. President?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ ‘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.’