Abuja, December 29, 2025 – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vehemently refuted claims by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, that he privately promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to undermine the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The sharp denial came during Wike's end-of-year media parley with journalists in Abuja on Monday, where he described Makinde's allegation as a "blatant lie" motivated by personal disappointment over not securing a ministerial slot in the current administration.
The controversy erupted after Governor Makinde, during a widely publicised media chat in Ibadan on December 23, recounted an alleged post-2023 election meeting with President Tinubu. Makinde claimed that Wike stunned him by declaring in the presence of the President and others: "I will hold the PDP for you against 2027."
According to Makinde, the remark was made in a small gathering that included President Tinubu, the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Wike himself, and two other individuals. The Oyo governor said he was shocked by the statement, which he interpreted as Wike's intention to weaken the main opposition party to guarantee Tinubu's victory in 2027.
Makinde further explained that the incident marked the turning point in his once-close relationship with Wike. "I was in shock. So we got to the veranda, and I said, ‘Wike, did we agree to this?’" he recounted. While acknowledging Wike's right to support the President politically, Makinde insisted that others who wish to preserve multiparty democracy and ensure the PDP's survival should be allowed to pursue their own path without interference.
The governor framed the disagreement as ideological rather than personal, emphasising the need to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a one-party state. "The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President for 2027 – that is fine; it is within his right to do that. But also some of us who want to ensure that democracy survives... he should also allow us to do our own thing," Makinde stated.
Responding barely a week later, Wike dismissed the entire narrative as fabricated and unfair. "That is a blatant lie," he declared emphatically. He expressed surprise that Makinde, whom he said had always addressed him respectfully as "Your Excellency" or "Minister," suddenly referred to him simply as "Wike" in public – a shift he interpreted as a sign of deep frustration.
Wike challenged the plausibility of the alleged statement: "You ask yourself, what was that meeting? What was the purpose of that meeting that would have led me to say, Mr. President, I will hold PDP for you?" He questioned why Makinde waited over two years to reveal such a supposedly damaging declaration instead of raising it immediately within PDP circles.
Providing his own account of the encounter, Wike clarified that the visit to the President was a collective one by five former and serving PDP governors – himself, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Samuel Ortom of Benue, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu. "My humble self, the former governor of Ikpeazu, the former governor of Benue State, Ugwuanyi, and Makinde went to see the President," he said.
The purpose, according to Wike, was to discuss post-election matters and seek greater inclusivity in the new administration. The Chief of Staff was present only in his routine capacity to take notes and remind the President of discussed issues. "There was nothing like a meeting. We booked to go and see Mr. President," Wike stressed, insisting that no such pledge was made.
He described Makinde's claim as "very unfair" and "completely out of place," arguing that it misrepresented a cordial courtesy call. Wike suggested that the governor's outburst stemmed from disappointment over not being offered a cabinet position despite lobbying efforts. "It’s unfortunate," he added, noting that personal ambition should not lead to falsehoods that damage relationships.
The exchange has further exposed the deepening fissures within the PDP, particularly between Wike's faction – which has aligned closely with the APC-led federal government – and governors like Makinde who remain committed to rebuilding the opposition party as a viable alternative.
Since assuming office as FCT Minister in August 2023, Wike has maintained a pragmatic working relationship with President Tinubu, often praising the administration's policies while retaining his PDP membership. His supporters in Rivers State delivered significant votes for the APC in 2023, a factor widely credited for Tinubu's victory in the oil-rich state.
Makinde, on the other hand, has emerged as a leading voice among PDP governors pushing for internal reforms and positioning the party to challenge APC rule in future elections. His public criticism of Wike reflects broader tensions over loyalty, power-sharing, and the direction of the opposition.
Political observers see the verbal clash as a precursor to intensified manoeuvring ahead of 2027. With President Tinubu expected to seek a second term, the role of influential figures like Wike – who controls substantial political machinery in the South-South – will be crucial. Similarly, governors like Makinde are working to consolidate PDP structures in the South-West and beyond.
Neither camp has shown willingness to reconcile publicly, and the latest episode suggests that the rift may widen further. Wike concluded his response by urging focus on governance rather than distractions, while implicitly warning against what he sees as character assassination.
As the dust settles on this latest round of accusations and counter-accusations, one thing remains clear: the internal contradictions within Nigeria's main opposition party continue to play out dramatically in public view, potentially weakening its cohesion at a time when unity is most needed.
The development underscores the complex interplay of personal ambitions, regional interests, and national politics in Nigeria's evolving democratic landscape as the nation approaches another pivotal election cycle.
