The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he promised President Bola Tinubu to weaken the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Wike dismissed the allegation during an end of year media chat held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Monday. He described the claim as false and unfair, insisting that he never made such a commitment to the president.
“What would have made me tell the president that I would hold the PDP down for him?” Mr Wike asked while responding to questions from journalists.
Governor Makinde had earlier said during a media interaction in Ibadan, Oyo State, that he was present at a meeting where Mr Wike allegedly offered to undermine the opposition party in support of President Tinubu’s re-election bid. Makinde said he was shocked by the comment and made it clear that while Mr Wike was free to support the president, he would not do so.
Despite the disagreement, Mr Makinde stated that every politician had the right to make personal political choices. He also linked his strained relationship with Mr Wike to his refusal to align with the minister in backing President Tinubu while remaining in an opposition party.
In his response, Mr Wike said there was no such meeting where he made the statement attributed to him. He explained that the visit to President Tinubu after the elections included himself, former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Enugu State governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Governor Makinde.
According to him, the visit was meant to discuss post election issues and not to strike any deal against the PDP. He stressed that it was wrong to suggest he promised to damage the party for political gain.
Mr Wike also accused Governor Makinde of fueling internal crises within the PDP through legal actions. He said party leaders had agreed to allow internal processes to resolve disputes, but alleged that Makinde chose a different path.
“We agreed the party should move on, but he went to the Supreme Court and lost,” Mr Wike said.
The minister further described Governor Makinde as a frustrated politician whose ambition, according to him, did not align with accepted political norms. He argued that ambition was not a problem but should follow laid down rules.
The disagreement between the two leaders has continued to draw attention, especially after Governor Makinde publicly declared that he would not support President Tinubu in 2027, citing concerns about the future of the opposition and democratic balance in the country.
Mr Wike, however, maintained that he never offered to undermine the PDP and said the claims credited to him were baseless and misleading.