“You People Are All The Same” — VeryDarkMan Calls Out Adeleke’s Visit to Wike, and Osun Politics Gets Messy Again
Barely days after celebrating a hard-fought re-election, Governor Ademola Adeleke is facing a fresh wave of criticism this time from activist and social media commentator VeryDarkMan, over a photo that’s got political timelines buzzing. VDM didn’t hold back: “There are two people in this picture, one is a politician and the other is a political puppet. Gov. Adeleke is the political puppet. Why present your certificate to Wike, a minister? You’re only strengthening APC. You people are all the same.”
What Actually Happened
Adeleke, freshly re-elected in the August 15 governorship election, visited FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja, with both men photographed together holding the governor’s Certificate of Return. The photo was shared on X by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, captioned: “Governor Ademola Adeleke visits the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.” The visit followed an earlier stop at the Presidential Villa, where Adeleke had already presented his certificate to President Bola Tinubu himself. Adeleke’s win was confirmed after he secured 511,067 votes against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji’s 444,815, taking 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas.
Why VDM’s Take Is Landing With Some People
His criticism taps into a real political contradiction that’s been simmering for a while. Adeleke campaigned and won under the Accord Party, while Wike though currently serving as a minister under the Tinubu-led APC administration was actually expelled from the PDP just months earlier during the party’s national convention in Ibadan, part of a broader factional split within the opposition. For a governor from a party that positioned itself in opposition to APC’s dominance, a warm public visit to one of Tinubu’s most visible ministers naturally raises eyebrows among voters who expected a harder political line.
VDM’s framing “puppet” versus “politician” suggests he sees this visit as Adeleke effectively legitimizing or currying favor with the federal APC establishment, rather than standing firmly on the mandate voters just gave him.
Adeleke’s Own Framing Is Very Different
For his part, Adeleke has been striking a deliberately conciliatory tone since his win. After collecting his Certificate of Return, he told reporters: “I’ve told you before, I’m the governor of all. Whatever that has happened before, let it be bygone. All the people who offended me, I forgive them, let’s all work together. Osun state will never see darkness again.” That message drew largely positive reactions online, with users praising him for a tone of unity and forgiveness after a bruising campaign season.
Seen through that lens, courtesy visits to both Tinubu and Wike could be read less as political capitulation and more as standard post-election diplomacy the kind of relationship-building state governors often do with the federal government regardless of party lines, especially when state-federal cooperation affects everything from infrastructure funding to security support.
Why VDM’s Voice Carries Weight Here
This isn’t out of character for VDM at all he’s built a reputation for publicly pushing back on Wike specifically, previously criticizing the minister over comments regarding insecurity and school abductions, arguing that Wike’s own children being educated abroad made him disconnected from the fears facing ordinary Nigerian parents. His activism has consistently centered on holding powerful political figures accountable regardless of party affiliation, which is part of why his “you people are all the same” line resonates with a segment of Nigerians who are generally skeptical of political alliances that cross party lines the moment elections are over.
Wahala Network Take
Is this smart political diplomacy from a newly re-elected governor building bridges, or is it exactly the kind of post-election “everybody suddenly friends” behavior that makes voters cynical about party loyalty? VDM’s clearly picked his side of that argument but Adeleke’s “governor of all” messaging suggests he sees it very differently.
Both readings have merit. What do you think smart politics, or exactly VDM’s point?
