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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed rumours about his political future on Monday, declaring his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while sharply rebuking the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, over allegations of a secret pact with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during his end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike rejected Makinde’s recent claim in Ibadan that he had promised to deliver the PDP to Tinubu. “That’s a blatant lie. You see, Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike,” Wike fired back, insisting no such meeting occurred.
He challenged the governor’s narrative, questioning its credibility. “First of all, let us ask: what was the purpose of that meeting? Why did Makinde not come out to tell the party that this is what Wike said? There was no such meeting,” Wike stated.
Wike recounted the only relevant post-2023 election interaction involving Makinde and other PDP figures—a mere courtesy visit to Tinubu. “Myself, former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Seyi Makinde went to see the President after the elections. And of course, the Chief of Staff was there,” he clarified.
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Labelling Makinde’s accusation “unfair,” Wike suggested frustration fuelled the Oyo governor’s words. “That is so unfair to say that I said that. If you look at that media chat, you will see that Makinde was frustrated,” he added. He further critiqued Makinde’s grasp of politics, likening it to inexperience. “We have advised him several times. Politics is not like being a contractor with Shell. It has different rules.”
On speculation about his PDP membership amid recent party defections and his role in Tinubu’s administration, Wike was unequivocal. “The fact that people are defecting to the APC does not mean I have to defect. I am a member of the PDP, which is why I am still there,” he asserted, emphasising that his ministerial post stems from competence, not party-switching.
Wike urged separating governance from partisan loyalty, acknowledging Makinde’s ambitions but insisting on adherence to party rules. “There is nothing wrong with having ambition. But your ambition must be according to the rules,” he said, advising, “Makinde is a baby in politics and should take lessons from more experienced party actors.”
