Our Reporter, Abuja
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said President Bola Tinubu did not assign the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to undermine the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but that the former Rivers State governor was running an errand, which nobody sent him.
Speaking during a media chat with journalists on Tuesday, Makinde disclosed that he once attended a meeting with President Tinubu, Wike and others where the FCT minister allegedly volunteered to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde said the comment left him stunned and led to a private confrontation with Wike afterward.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was shocked,” Makinde said.
“Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not.”
The Oyo governor, supporter of the TanimuTuraki-led faction of the PDP, however, acknowledged Wike’s right to support any candidate of his choice but insisted that he would remain committed to the PDP. He stressed the importance of preserving multiparty democracy and preventing Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state.
Makinde also dismissed claims that his stance was driven by personal animosity toward the FCT minister, insisting that his disagreements are based on principles, not personalities.
“I don’t discuss persons; I discuss issues,” he said.
The Oyo State Governor also highlighted his professional background, noting that he had achieved financial success early in life. He said he became a dollar-denominated millionaire in his late 20s, at a time when Wike was just completing law school and beginning his political career.
“Within one year, I made $1 million in my pocket. I was 29 in 1997. Wike, perhaps at that time, had just left law school, and his next job was as a local government chairman.”
Makinde reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the PDP remains a strong and credible opposition ahead of future elections.
