Saturday, September 12, 2026

I directed Adeleke to openly support Tinubu’s re-election, thank him for credible Osun governorship poll, says Wike 

Mr Wike stated, “My thinking and strategy anywhere I am sitting is how the President will win the (2027) election.”

• September 2, 2026
Wike and Gov. Adeleke.
Wike and Gov. Adeleke.

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday boasted that he instructed Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, to openly support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election after he was declared winner of August 15 governorship poll in the state.

Mr Wike made the claim at a media briefing on Tuesday.

Mr Adeleke dumped the Peoples Democratic Party on November 4, 2025, to the governorship poll to join the Accord due to the former’s protracted leadership crisis. 

“They said I supported Adeleke. Adeleke was in PDP. PDP had crisis then he moved to Accord to get his ticket to contest. On that election day, I was not in Nigeria. I was outside the country,” Mr Wike said.

He added, “My concern was if Adeleke wins, will he still support Mr President? And I called him because that was my own interest. I called him. I said you have told me you will support Mr President, are you going to keep to it? I wished him good luck. I don’t need to go to Osun. 

Mr Wike stated his plans wherever he was bordered on how Mr Tinubu would return as President.

He stated, “My thinking and strategy anywhere I am sitting is how the President will win the (2027) election.

“After that election, go ask Adeleke, I called him from Croatia. I said you told me you will support Mr President. He said yes. Now you have won, issue a statement, that you will still support Mr President and thank him for free and fair election. I did that. I also told him when you receive your certificate of return take it to the President.”

The FCT minister’s statement came barely two weeks after Mr Adeleke endorsed Mr Tinubu’s re-election after he was declared winner of the Osun State governorship election.

Mr Adeleke also thanked the President for a free and fair election. However, when asked in a post-election interview if his statement was informed by an agreement with Mr Tinubu, Mr Adeleke denied such a pact with the President. 

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