2027: Wike promised to hold PDP for Tinubu, Makinde alleges
Makinde Breaks Silence on Rift with Wike, Says Fallout Linked to 2027 Tinubu Re-election Plan
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday publicly addressed his long-rumoured rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealing that their fallout was triggered by Wike’s alleged pledge to help secure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 by “holding down” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde made the revelation during a media chat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he explained that the declaration, allegedly made by Wike during a meeting with President Tinubu, shocked him and marked the breaking point in their political relationship.
Background: G-5 Governors and the PDP Crisis
Wike and Makinde were both prominent members of the G-5 governors, a faction within the PDP that opposed the party’s 2023 presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and the leadership of former national chairman Iyorchia Ayu, citing concerns over regional imbalance as both positions were occupied by politicians from the North.
However, Makinde said their alliance collapsed after Wike allegedly made an unsolicited commitment to President Tinubu during a closed-door meeting attended by the President, his Chief of Staff and other top officials.
“Wike said to the President, ‘I will hold the PDP for you against 2027.’ I was in shock,” Makinde recounted, stressing that the President neither asked for nor endorsed such a move.
Makinde: Support for Tinubu Is a Personal Choice
According to Makinde, while Wike has the right to support President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, he should not undermine others who are committed to preserving opposition politics and preventing Nigeria from drifting into a one-party state.
He stated that efforts were made to persuade Wike to reconsider his stance, but the FCT minister remained resolute, prompting Makinde to distance himself completely from the plan.
“From that day, I said I will never be a part of this. I will not support the President for 2027,” Makinde declared, adding that political choices remain a constitutional right.
Wike’s Camp Fires Back, Calls Makinde Selfish
Reacting to Makinde’s comments, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, launched a blistering attack on the Oyo governor, accusing him of selfishness and political disloyalty.
In a post on his official X handle, Olayinka alleged that Makinde’s political decisions were driven purely by personal ambition, claiming he had a history of switching parties whenever his interests were threatened.
He further accused Makinde of joining the G-5 governors solely to secure his re-election in 2023 and alleged that he worked against Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during the 2022 governorship election to remain the only PDP governor in the South-West at the time.
Makinde Warns Against One-Party State
Makinde strongly warned that weakening opposition parties could push Nigeria toward a one-party system, a development he said would endanger democracy and national stability.
“If you move the country towards a one-party state, you remember what happened during the Arab Spring,” he said, warning of possible mass unrest if political pluralism is undermined.
The governor also stated that he regretted supporting President Tinubu in the 2023 election, admitting it was a political mistake.
PDP Crisis, 2027 Ambitions and Governance Issues
On the PDP leadership crisis, Makinde accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of acting in a one-sided manner, insisting that the party’s convention held in Ibadan was valid and lawful.
Addressing speculation about his presidential ambition, Makinde said he was qualified to aspire to the highest office in the land, citing his two-term governorship experience and professional background in the oil and gas sector.
He also touched on issues of local government autonomy, land acquisition controversies around the Ibadan Circular Road project, and governance priorities, stressing that his administration focused on building strong institutions rather than just physical infrastructure.
“Infrastructure alone does not guarantee a legacy unless it is embedded in strong institutions,” Makinde concluded.
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