Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu to be wary of his political relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Oseni spoke while reacting to Wike’s recent claim that he would become a major target of opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, if President Tinubu fails to secure re-election in 2027.
Wike made the remark during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, where he defended his continued support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Reacting during Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Thursday, Oseni questioned why Wike was allegedly concerned about being witch-hunted by Atiku or Obi.
According to him, Wike should have nothing to fear if he was confident that his actions had been justified.
“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 said.
“I don’t have problems with him not accepting to support Atiku, but what I have problems with is that he used his high-handedness as governor to ensure that Atiku did not campaign in Rivers State.
“Why is he thinking Peter Obi will witch-hunt him? Oh, is it because, like the BBC revealed, what Obi got on the IReV was more than any person in that election, and we saw what was declared because he has his hand over it.
“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.”
Oseni also warned Tinubu to be cautious in his dealings with Wike, arguing that the former Rivers State governor could publicly disclose details of their political relationship if they eventually fall out.
He said Wike had a history of falling out with former political allies and associates.
“You see, for all of those that do things with him, in all of this, the person I pity the most, and I have a very great pity for, 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. I’m just begging for posterity’s sake, 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,” he said.
Oseni further referenced Wike’s past political comments against godfatherism, including his criticism of Tinubu during the political crisis involving former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
“This was the same Wike, if you remember, when Ambode was going back and forth with President Tinubu, he told him that we don’t allow godfathers in Rivers.
“You were talking to President Tinubu then, now you people are aligning. Congratulations to you, because I’m saying this from experience,” he added.
Oseni said he knew some people who were once close to Wike but were no longer on speaking terms with him, warning the President to be careful in his relationship with the FCT minister.
Wike has been locked in a prolonged political battle with Atiku since the 2022 PDP presidential primary, which the former vice president won ahead of the then Rivers State governor.
Atiku, Obi: Rufai Oseni urges Tinubu to be cautious with Wike