Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly revealed that his political fallout with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, originated from a pledge Wike allegedly made to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Governor Makinde made this disclosure on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, breaking his silence on the deepening schism with his former ally.
The two politicians were once prominent members of the “G-5” group of PDP governors who rebelled against the party’s leadership in the 2023 elections, opposing the presidential candidacy of Atiku Abubakar and the national chairmanship of Iyorchia Ayu on grounds of regional equity.
According to Makinde,the relationship fractured following a “shocking” declaration by Wike during a private meeting with President Tinubu, which he said the President neither requested nor endorsed.
“I was in a meeting with the President. Wike, the President’s Chief of Staff, and two others were also there. And Wike said to the President, ‘I will hold the PDP for you against 2027.’ I was in shock,” Makinde stated.
He recounted confronting Wike afterward, saying, “I asked him, ‘Wike, did we agree to this?’” Makinde clarified that while it is Wike’s right to support the President, others within the PDP are committed to strengthening the party and preventing Nigeria from drifting into a one-party state.
“He should allow us to do our own thing. That is just the issue between Wike and me,” Makinde concluded.
In a swift rebuttal,Lere Olayinka, media aide to Minister Wike, attacked Governor Makinde’s character and loyalty. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Olayinka described Makinde as fundamentally self-serving.
“Ibadan Governor has never been loyal to anyone or any political party; he is only about himself,” Olayinka wrote.
He chronicled Makinde’s past party defections—from PDP to ANPP in 2007, to SDP in 2015—attributing them to failed bids for tickets. Olayinka alleged Makinde only joined the G-5 to secure his own re-election in 2023 and even worked against PDP candidate Ademola Adeleke in the 2022 Osun State governorship election to remain the sole PDP governor in the South-West. He predicted Makinde would leave the PDP again after 2027.
Governor Makinde expressed dismay that Tinubu did not instruct Wike to make such a pledge.After attempts to persuade Wike to backtrack failed, Makinde said he decided to take a definitive stand.
“From that day, I said I will never be a part of this… I will not support the President for 2027,” he declared, adding that he now regrets his 2023 support for Tinubu.
He framed the conflict as a battle for democratic survival, warning that weakening opposition parties to create a one-party state is dangerous for Nigeria.
“If you move the country towards a one-party state, what happens when you need a bipartisan approach to issues?” Makinde asked, drawing a parallel to the Arab Spring. He cautioned that suppressing political choice could lead to mass unrest, stating, “What Nigerians would show politicians and elites in 2027, we cannot imagine right now.”
On PDP Leadership and Presidential Ambition
Makinde dismissed the party’s ongoing leadership crisis,asserting there is no faction within the PDP. He defended the convention held in Ibadan as lawful and accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias in handling the party’s internal matters.
When questioned about his own presidential ambitions, Makinde affirmed his qualifications, citing his two-term gubernatorial experience and a successful career in the oil and gas sector. He contrasted this with what he implied was a lack of comparable private-sector experience on Wike’s part.
On Governance and Legacy
Addressing other issues,Makinde criticized the federal government’s “double speak” on local government autonomy and defended his administration’s handling of the Ibadan Circular Road project, stating that the land acquisition followed a legally gazetted corridor from 2018.
He concluded by emphasizing that his administration’s goal is to build strong, enduring institutions rather than just physical infrastructure.
“Infrastructure alone does not guarantee a legacy unless it is embedded in strong institutions,” Makinde said, highlighting his focus on creating sustainable systems and opportunities for the people of Oyo State.