2027: Wike vowed to hold PDP down for Tinubu – Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained the circumstances that led to the rift between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, his former political ally, a fallout that has deepened internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and split it into rival factions.
Makinde alleged that Wike had assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he would ensure the PDP posed no challenge to him in the 2027 presidential election. He said this alleged pledge marked the breaking point in their relationship, warning that such a move could push Nigeria towards a one-party state.
In a swift response, Wike dismissed the allegation, saying Makinde was merely using him to fight the President. He claimed the governor’s grievance stemmed from President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Adebayo Adelabu as minister from Oyo State, rather than Makinde’s preferred nominee.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday during a media interaction in Ibadan, Makinde declared that he would not support President Tinubu in the next election, adding that he was also qualified to lead the country.
Makinde had supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election alongside Wike and three other PDP governors — Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia — under the G-5 alliance that worked against the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Calling on Wike to respect the political choices of others, just as he had chosen to support Tinubu, Makinde said he was taken aback when Wike allegedly told the President he would “hold down the PDP” ahead of 2027.
The Oyo governor said: “I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike and others when Wike volunteered that he would hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027. I was shocked. Wike can support the President in 2027, but I will not.”
Makinde said while Wike was entitled to his political choice, others must be allowed the same freedom.
“The real issue is that Wike wants to support the President for 2027. That is his right. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and that the PDP survives as well. He should allow us to make our own choices,” he said.
He added that attempts to resolve the disagreement privately failed, forcing a direct confrontation.
“I tried to engage him through a mutual friend, but when he did not back off, I confronted him directly. From that day, I made it clear that I would never be part of this. Wike can support Tinubu, but it is also within my right to decide who I will support in 2027,” Makinde said.
He warned that unchecked political manoeuvres could weaken opposition parties and endanger Nigeria’s democratic balance.
“Some of us want to ensure that we do not drift into a one-party state. We want the PDP to survive. He should also allow us to do our own thing,” he added.
Wike: He’s angry Tinubu rejected his ministerial nominee
Responding through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Wike said Makinde was angry with President Tinubu over the rejection of his ministerial nominee and had redirected that anger at him.
“He picked offence and extended it to Wike,” Olayinka said.
Olayinka further accused Makinde of serial party-switching driven by personal ambition.
“In 2007, he left the PDP for the ANPP after failing to secure a senatorial ticket. In 2015, he left for the SDP after failing to get the governorship ticket. In 2019, but for securing the PDP governorship ticket, he would have defected again,” he said.
He added that Makinde joined the PDP G-5 governors in 2023 primarily to secure his re-election.
“After 2027, he will be in another party,” Olayinka claimed.
Olayinka also alleged that Makinde worked against Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2022 to remain the only PDP governor in the South-West.
“Ibadan Gomina General has never been loyal to anyone or any political party. He is only about himself,” he said, listing several politicians to support his claim.
‘I am qualified to lead Nigeria’
Speaking on his political future, Makinde said he was qualified to lead Nigeria, citing his experience in public office and the private sector.
“To serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified; even overqualified,” he said.
He compared his credentials with those of past presidents, noting that by May 2027 he would have completed two terms as governor.
“President Tinubu was a two-term governor of Lagos State. By the grace of God, I will have completed my tenure as a two-term governor by then,” he said.
Makinde also highlighted his private-sector background, saying he had managed a company from a young age and worked with multinational oil firms including Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron.
However, he said it was premature to declare any presidential ambition.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a weakening opposition, warning against the growing wave of defections to the ruling APC.
‘Adelabu lacks capacity to organise APC in Oyo’
Makinde also criticised Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, saying he lacked the capacity to organise the APC in Oyo State.
He faulted President Tinubu’s administration, saying it had fallen short of expectations regarding national unity and competence.
“Our expectation was a government of national unity and competence that would reset the country. But is that what we are seeing? The answer is no,” he said.
Makinde said the President had initially asked him to recommend a developmental economist for the position of Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, but the nominee was not selected.
“If Adelabu was appointed to help organise the APC in Oyo State, then the decision was misplaced. He does not have the capacity,” Makinde said, adding that he rejected a direct request from the President to help organise the APC in the state.
How Makinde, Wike fell apart
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Makinde and Wike led a rebellion within the PDP after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
However, as preparations for 2027 began, the relationship soured after Wike openly declared support for Tinubu and reportedly urged the PDP not to field a presidential candidate.
This position was rejected by several PDP governors, leading to deep divisions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) under Ambassador Umar Damagum.
The crisis escalated with court judgements and counter-judgements, culminating in a disputed national convention last month. While some governors defected to the APC, others aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction, while Wike and his allies backed a caretaker committee headed by former national secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
Both factions are now awaiting court rulings to determine the party’s legitimate leadership.
Wike playing spoiler role — Analyst
Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo described Wike as playing a spoiler’s role within the PDP.
“He wants to empty the PDP and leave the carcass after 2027,” Ojo told Daily Trust.
He said Wike’s actions aligned with Makinde’s claims and accused the FCT minister of deliberately weakening the party.
“If a so-called party chieftain is demanding that the PDP should not field a presidential candidate, then people of conscience must resist that,” he said.
Ojo said Makinde’s remarks had clarified Wike’s role in the party crisis.
“For those who doubted Wike’s intent, they now understand why the PDP is in turmoil,” he added.
