The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on Nigerian universities to delve into the political dynamics that led to Nyesom Wike — a key figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — securing a ministerial post in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
Speaking on Thursday during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the revered monarch described Wike’s appointment as both intriguing and instructive.
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Addressing Wike directly, who served as the keynote speaker at the event, the Ooni remarked that despite Wike’s affiliation with a different political platform, he had managed to find common ground and now served within the current administration. The speaker described the development as a political phenomenon that remained puzzling to many, admitting personal difficulty in explaining how it came to be.
He encouraged academia to take a deeper look at such cross-party collaboration, suggesting that it might offer valuable lessons for national unity and political evolution.
“For me, it is something that universities should be studying and I mean it. It’s very important.”
The monarch praised President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership and acknowledged Wike’s enduring political relevance.
“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,” he said.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a fearless and tenacious political figure whose influence, he said, cuts across party lines.
Speaking during a lecture titled “Nigeria of Our Dreams” held at the historic Oduduwa Hall, the monarch noted that Wike’s assertiveness and resilience had earned him admiration and relevance in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
He was quoted as saying that Wike’s boldness and staying power were evident, adding that the minister had continued to shape national discourse in ways that transcended political affiliations.
The event drew scholars, students, and political stakeholders who gathered for a thought-provoking exchange on the future of the country.