OSOGBO, NIGERIA — Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has fired a heavy political salvo at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, dismissing claims that the former Rivers State governor is his leader within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oyinlola insisted that Wike remains his political junior by all metrics of age, experience, and history, firmly rejecting assertions that the minister has assumed control of the main opposition party.
“When I Was Governor, He Was In School”
Oyinlola made his stance clear while appearing on a live broadcast of Channels Television’s flagship political program, Politics Today. Responding to questions regarding Wike’s widespread and polarizing influence over the fractured party, the retired military general used strong words to underscore his political hierarchy.
“Nobody has invited me to any rainbow coalition. I don’t know the meaning of rainbow except the one I know. He is not my leader. You don’t say that kind of thing. Yes, I am a member of the PDP, but he is not my leader,” Oyinlola declared.
Justifying his position by drawing a clear timeline of their respective political careers, the former Osun State chief executive added, “When I was governor, where was he? He was in school. So, he doesn’t qualify to be my leader. He’s my boy.”
Distancing Self from the “Rainbow Coalition”
Beyond the direct shots at Wike, the veteran politician used the national media appearance to distance himself from a highly speculated “Rainbow Coalition”—a rumored broad-based alignment of opposition figures attempting to merge forces to confront the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Oyinlola clarified that no formal invitation has been extended to him to join any such alliance, maintaining that he remains within the folds of the PDP.
The clarification comes amid a flurry of political maneuvers by Oyinlola, who recently withdrew his previous endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. Shifting his allegiance, the former governor has openly declared his support for the emerging presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Deepening Fractures Within the PDP
The public confrontation between Oyinlola and Wike stems from a long-running proxy war over the soul of the PDP. Wike has remained a deeply polarizing figure within the opposition since accepting a ministerial appointment under President Tinubu’s APC cabinet while stubbornly refusing to relinquish his membership or influence within the PDP.
Tensions previously flared when acting PDP National Chairman, Iliya Damagun, traded barbs with the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, which is chaired by Oyinlola. The committee had faced internal accusations of deliberately failing to act on petitions demanding Wike’s suspension for anti-party activities.
Oyinlola’s latest blunt dismissal of Wike’s authority signals that the internal war within Nigeria’s largest opposition party is far from over, as elder statesmen increasingly mobilize to checkmate the FCT Minister’s cross-party dominance ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
