Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni has advised President Bola Tinubu to exercise caution in his political alliance with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Oseni made the remarks while responding to Wike’s recent statement that he would become a prime target for opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, should Tinubu fail to win re-election in 2027.
Wike had spoken during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday. He defended his continued backing of Tinubu’s second-term bid even though he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On Thursday’s edition of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, Oseni questioned why Wike appeared worried about possible witch-hunts by Atiku or Obi.
“So why is Mr Wike afraid today? Why is he afraid that if Atiku Abubakar gets in, he’s going to be witch-hunted? Is it because he prevented Atiku from campaigning in Rivers State?” Oseni asked.
He clarified that he had no issue with Wike’s decision not to support Atiku, but objected to the former Rivers governor’s alleged use of power to block Atiku’s campaigns in the state.
Oseni also linked Wike’s concerns about Obi to the 2023 election, referencing reports that Obi’s results on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) exceeded the figures eventually declared.
“Mr Wike, why are you scared? Why do you think they will witch-hunt you? Is there anything you want to tell us? Because if you are proud of your actions, you should not fear a witch hunt,” he said.Turning to Tinubu, Oseni warned that the president should be careful, noting Wike’s history of publicly revealing details after falling out with former allies.
“You see, for all of those that do things with him, in all of this, the person I pity the most… is President Tinubu, because you see how Wike is revealing everything now. The day he quickly falls out with President Tinubu, this Wike will talk, and he will talk very well.
“So, Babami, President Tinubu, I hope whatever you are doing with Wike are things that we can say in public… because it is the height of delusion for President Tinubu to think that whatever ‘padi padi’ he is doing with Wike, if they are no longer together, Wike will not talk.”
Oseni also recalled Wike’s earlier criticisms of godfatherism, including comments directed at Tinubu during the political dispute involving former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, when Wike declared that Rivers State does not tolerate godfathers.
He added that he personally knows former associates of Wike who are no longer on speaking terms with him, reinforcing his call for Tinubu to tread carefully.
Wike and Atiku have been locked in a long-running political feud dating back to the 2022 PDP presidential primary, which Atiku won.