Varsities should study how Wike joined Tinubu’s cabinet – Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on Nigerian universities to examine how the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike,
secured a position in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday, the monarch expressed his astonishment over Wike’s political trajectory, describing his ministerial appointment under an All Progressives Congress-led government as a “mystery.”

“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 while addressing Wike, who served as the keynote speaker at the event.

“You belong to a different political party and yet are able to work together. You are part of this government. It is 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 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,” Ooni said.

The traditional ruler acknowledged that while Wike may have critics, he is widely respected for his boldness and resilience.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Wike would deliver the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at OAU.

The event, held at the university’s Oduduwa Hall, featured Wike speaking on the theme, “Nigeria of Our Dreams.”

According to a statement from Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, the invitation was officially extended to Wike in a letter dated April 14, 2025, signed by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. K. A. Bakare.

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