Oyinlola Declares Wike Not His Leader Despite Being PDP Member

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun State, has stated that he does not recognize Nyesom Wike as his leader in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Oyinlola made this declaration during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

When asked directly if Wike was his leader, Oyinlola responded, “No, not my leader. You don’t say that kind of thing.” He emphasized that while he is a member of the PDP, Wike does not hold a leadership position over him.

Oyinlola, who served as military governor of Lagos State from 1993 to 1996, remarked that Wike is young enough to be his political subordinate. He noted, “When I was governor in Lagos, where was he? In school.”

Nyesom Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu. He has formed a political group called the Rainbow coalition, which supports Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. This move has drawn criticism from some PDP members who feel Wike is undermining the party.

Oyinlola, who led Osun from 2003 to 2010, also pointed to internal conflicts within the PDP as a reason for the party’s struggles. He mentioned that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has been working to strengthen the party, but some members are resisting these efforts.

Despite the challenges, Oyinlola believes the PDP can recover. He stated, “The PDP is not dead. The bone will rise again,” highlighting the party’s presence in all local government areas across the country. He urged members to come together to restore the party’s strength, acknowledging that there are forces working against unity.