Ile-Ife, Osun State — June 5, 2025
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has urged Nigerian universities to analyze the political journey of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, particularly his appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Thursday during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, the monarch described Wike’s continued political relevance as a “mystery” worthy of academic inquiry.
“For me, it is something that universities should be studying, and I mean it,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “You belong to a different political party and yet are part of this government. I don’t even know how it happened. It’s very important.”
The Ooni praised Wike’s political resilience, stating, “Hate him or like him, what will be, will be. He is a politician to be studied. I don’t know how he’s been actively relevant for 20 years.”
Wike, who served as the keynote speaker at the event, spoke on the theme “Nigeria of Our Dreams.” His invitation was extended by the university in a letter dated April 14, 2025, signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. K. A. Bakare, according to Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media.
