Former Osun State Governor and former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has rejected the suggestion that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is his political leader.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Oyinlola insisted that although he remains a PDP member, Wike can never occupy a leadership position over him.
The former governor also dismissed reports linking him to the proposed Rainbow Coalition, saying he had neither been invited to join the group nor understood the reference beyond the ordinary meaning of a rainbow.
“No, 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,” Oyinlola said.
He went further to describe Wike as someone who could qualify to be his “boy”, arguing that he had already become a governor while the FCT minister was still in school.
“When I was governor in Lagos, why was he in school? So, he doesn’t qualify to be your leader,” he added.
Oyinlola Rejects Wike’s Leadership in PDP
Oyinlola maintained that his political experience and history within the PDP did not place him under Wike’s leadership.
He said he had been involved in politics for many years and had occupied senior positions in the party and government before Wike became prominent in national politics.
The former governor stressed that he would not accept what he described as a false narrative that Wike was his leader.
He also clarified that he did not belong to Wike’s faction of the PDP and would not allow anyone without the political standing to lead him to dictate his political choices.
Why Oyinlola Says South-West PDP Is Aligned With APM
Addressing his political position, Oyinlola said he remained officially a member of the PDP.
However, he explained that the PDP in the South-West had aligned with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for strategic reasons.
According to him, the decision followed concerns about what he described as mischief within the PDP and doubts that the party’s current direction would lead it to the presidency.
He said the South-West group decided to pursue another political path rather than risk being left out of future political arrangements.
Oyinlola Says He Is Not Part of Rainbow Coalition
The former governor also dismissed claims that he was involved in the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that nobody had approached him to join the group.
He said his position on the matter was clear and maintained that he had no personal quarrel with Wike.
Oyinlola, however, insisted that he would continue to speak about issues affecting the PDP and support efforts to rebuild the party.
He also urged party members to respect its history and hierarchy rather than impose leaders on others.
His comments have generated reactions among Nigerians, with some supporting his position on political seniority while others have criticised his remarks about the FCT minister.
The exchange comes amid continuing political disagreements and realignments within the PDP ahead of the 2027 general election.
