By Our Correspondent
The political battle ahead of the 2027 general elections has taken another dramatic turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke belongs to the political camp supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike made the declaration on Friday while speaking with journalists in Abuja during an inspection of ongoing projects in the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister described recent political developments surrounding Adeleke as part of a broader realignment that he said would strengthen support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
According to Wike, the emerging political arrangement could produce what he called a larger “Rainbow Coalition” made up of politicians from different political parties who are backing the President.
“Adeleke belongs to us and we all belong to Mr President,” Wike said.
The statement comes amid growing political calculations across the country, with politicians and political groups already positioning themselves for the 2027 elections.
Wike argued that the opposition does not currently have a single dominant political party capable of providing a formidable challenge to the ruling camp.
He maintained that the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has weakened its position and created room for new political alliances to emerge.
Speaking about Adeleke, Wike said the Osun governor remains a member of the PDP but had to seek another platform because of internal challenges within the party.
He further dismissed claims that the victory of Adeleke in the recent Osun governorship election represented a major boost for the opposition, arguing that some political groups were attempting to take credit for a victory they did not create.
Wike also predicted that more political developments would unfold in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch closely as politicians continue to move across political divides.
The FCT Minister was particularly critical of opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Asked whether he was concerned about how opposition leaders viewed his political activities and engagement with Adeleke, Wike said their reactions were not his concern.
He said his responsibility in a political contest was to defeat his opponents rather than make them comfortable.
“I don’t want them to feel well,” Wike said, adding that his political objective was to ensure that his opponents remained under pressure ahead of the election.
He went further to say that he would continue to create political difficulties for the opposition, using the phrase “high blood pressure” to describe the pressure he intended to put on his political rivals.
Wike’s comments are likely to generate fresh reactions from opposition parties and political figures as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
However, the political interpretation of Adeleke’s recent engagement with President Tinubu remains contested. The Imole Campaign Council has reportedly described the governor’s visit to the President as a routine courtesy call and denied reports that Adeleke is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The development highlights the fluid nature of Nigerian politics ahead of 2027, with politicians from different parties increasingly engaging across traditional political boundaries.
As the race towards 2027 gathers momentum, Wike’s latest remarks have added another layer to the ongoing debate over alliances, defections and the strength of the opposition.
With political realignments expected to continue in the months ahead, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the emerging “Rainbow Coalition” becomes a major force in the 2027 election or whether the opposition can regroup and present a united challenge.
For now, Wike has made his position clear: he believes President Tinubu’s political camp is gaining strength, and he intends to make the opposition work hard for every political advantage ahead of 2027.
