Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained how he worked behind the scenes to secure Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s continued support for President Bola Tinubu after the governor’s victory in the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Wike said his main concern during the election was whether Adeleke, who was then a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would continue to support Tinubu if he won the election.
Speaking during a media chat, Wike said Adeleke had moved to the Accord Party during the PDP crisis to secure his ticket.
He said he was not in Nigeria during the election but was more interested in knowing whether Adeleke would keep his promise to support Tinubu.
‘There are facts. ADC is there. Accord is there. They said I supported Adeleke. Adeleke was in PDP, PDP had crisis.
‘He moved to Accord so that he would be able to get his ticket.
‘And that election, I was not in Nigeria. I was in service country, I was not in Nigeria during the election.
‘My concern, if Adeleke wins, will he still support Mr. President?’
Wike said he called Adeleke and asked him to confirm whether he would maintain his support for Tinubu if he won the election.
‘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.
‘I wish him good luck. I don’t need to go to Osun.’
According to Wike, his support for Adeleke was not aimed at opposing the Federal Government or the President.
He said if the Federal Government had been fighting Adeleke, he would have become involved, but that he was not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘And that was why in the last media chat I said listen: ‘If Federal Government was fighting Adeleke, Federal Government…’ There is no way I will not be involved. Federal Government!
‘But if APC is fighting Adeleke, I’m not a member of APC. I’m coming. Don’t raise your hand now, I’m coming. Don’t spoil this election now, it’s an election.’
Wike said his broader strategy was focused on ensuring Tinubu’s success, while also making sure Adeleke kept his word after winning the election.
‘Every day I sit, my strategy, my thinking: how will President win this election? Now after that election, go on record, go and ask Adeleke.’
He said he contacted Adeleke while he was in Croatia and reminded him of his promise to support Tinubu.
‘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.’ I!’
Wike added that he did not seek recognition from either Adeleke or Tinubu for his role.
‘I don’t need to go and tell anybody. I don’t need to go and tell Mr. President. I don’t need to.’
He also said he advised Adeleke to present his certificate of return to Tinubu after the election.
‘I don’t need to call Mr. President, ‘I want to…’ No, I don’t need that. It is my job.’
Wike explained that his strategy was also aimed at stopping politicians from using the situation to seek favours from the President.
‘Why was that strategy? To knock off these people you call politicians coming to the… to come and curry favor. When Adeleke issued that statement, ADC withdrew.’
Adeleke went on to win the Osun State governorship election, while Wike said the developments that followed the victory were part of his effort to ensure that the governor maintained his stated support for Tinubu.