The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has said that political scientists should examine how Nyesom Wike, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), became a key figure in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Thursday at the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture in Ile-Ife, Osun State, where Wike served as keynote speaker, the monarch expressed admiration for Wike’s political journey and his current role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“For your career, I will particularly say that I give a very strong honour to the father of the nation, President Bola Tinubu,” the Ooni said. “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.”
He continued, “For me, it is something that universities should be studying. It’s very important. Hate him or 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 praised Wike’s contribution to national development, noting, “Nigeria is for all of us, and you are playing your part and making history.”
Despite remaining a PDP member, Wike has publicly pledged to lead President Tinubu’s reelection campaign in Rivers State.
