The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has called on political scientists in Nigerian universities to examine how Nyesom Wike, a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), secured a position in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The monarch made this remark on Thursday at the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where Wike, the former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), delivered the keynote address.
“For your career, I will particularly say that I give a very strong honour to the father of the nation, President Bola Tinubu. You belong to a different political party and yet are able to work together.
“You are part of this government. It’s still a mystery; I don’t even know how it happened. For me, it is something that universities should be studying and I mean it; it’s very important,” Oba Ogunwusi said.
“Hate him, like him; what will be, will be; he (Wike) is a politician to be studied. I don’t know how he’s been actively relevant for 20 years.”
The traditional ruler said, Though not everybody would like Wike, a lawyer, “but some of us have a lot of respect for you because of your fearlessness”.
“Nigeria is for all of us and you are playing your part and making history,” he added.
The event also saw the presence of prominent figures, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, among others.
Nyesom Wike, who served as the governor of oil-rich Rivers State from May 2015 to May 2023, was appointed as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in August 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. Wike’s open commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 has sparked sharp criticism from members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who accuse him of anti-party activities.
Notably, some founding members of the PDP, including Sule Lamido and Bode George, have condemned Wike’s role in the internal conflicts affecting the opposition party. Despite this, Wike has remained defiant, challenging the party leadership to expel him if they deem it necessary.