Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has attributed the prolonged divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party to individuals within its ranks whom he accused of frustrating efforts to restore unity.
He also rejected suggestions that he recognises the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as his political superior.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Oyinlola governed Osun State between 2003 and 2010 under the PDP, taking over from Adebisi Akande, who became the state’s first elected governor under the current democratic dispensation.
During the programme, he was asked whether Wike was his political leader. He responded, “No, not my leader. You don’t say that kind of thing,” he maintained, stressing, “Yes, I am a member of the PDP, but he’s not my leader.”
The retired military officer argued that their respective career timelines placed him in a senior position, suggesting that Wike could instead be regarded as his junior.
He recalled that Wike was still pursuing his education when he occupied the position of military governor of Lagos State between 1993 and 1996.
Asked whether he considered the FCT minister his boy, Oyinlola replied, “He qualifies to be. When I was governor in Lagos, where was he? In school.
“If we cannot go forward positively, smoothly, then you go and sit at home at 76. When I joined politics, I said whatever I did not achieve when I become 65, that I will go and rest.”
On whether he had aligned with the Rainbow coalition in Osun, the former governor said, “nobody has invited me to any rainbow. I don’t know the meaning of rainbow except the one I see.”
The political alliance, coordinated by Wike, is aimed at mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition in the 2027 general elections.
Wike’s decision to join the Tinubu administration despite retaining his PDP membership has generated discontent among members of the opposition party. Critics argue that the minister’s political arrangement and the coalition could undermine the PDP’s chances in the forthcoming presidential contest.
Speaking on former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s involvement in attempts to revive the opposition party, Oyinlola acknowledged his contributions but maintained that certain members were frustrating the process from within.
He confirmed that he had held conversations with Obasanjo about the situation, saying, “We discuss. He’s been trying to ensure that the party is re-engineered. But those who don’t want it are working against it within the party. That’s the much I can say.
“He has tried his best, let me say. But there are too many forces working against the unity of the party,” adding that the PDP “is not dead. The bone will rise again.”
Oyinlola maintained that the opposition party still possesses an extensive grassroots network across the country, noting that its presence in all 774 local government areas could be harnessed to rebuild its political strength.
He said, “If we get our acts together, it’s a thing we can achieve, but the forces making sure we don’t get there are there. They are not sleeping.”
In August 2026, the former governor disclosed that he had thrown his weight behind the APC’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the Osun governorship election, rather than Ademola Adeleke, who eventually secured victory.
Oyinlola, who previously belonged to the PDP, explained that the internal disagreements and instability within the party at the national level influenced his decision to support the APC candidate.
