The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has called on political scientists and scholars in Nigeria’s universities to closely examine the political trajectory of Nyesom Wike, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who now serves in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The revered monarch made the remark on Thursday during the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture held at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The event featured Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the keynote speaker.
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The Ooni described Wike’s political journey as a significant case study in cross-party relevance and influence, noting that such political dynamics deserve deeper academic scrutiny.
The lecture drew political figures, academics, and students, and focused on governance, national unity, and leadership in contemporary Nigeria.
Oba Ogunwusi said: “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.
“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 Distinguished Personality Lecture held Thursday at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, drew several high-profile guests, including Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State, among others.
The keynote speaker at the event, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has remained a polarising figure in Nigerian politics.
A former governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, Wike was appointed FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023—a move that stirred controversy within his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite being a PDP stalwart, Wike has openly declared support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, a stance that has drawn fierce criticism from party loyalists who accuse him of undermining the opposition.
Senior PDP figures such as Sule Lamido and Bode George have slammed Wike’s actions, blaming him for deepening internal rifts within the party.
However, Wike has remained defiant, repeatedly challenging the party’s leadership to expel him if they can.
 who now serves in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).){kind=link}