The rift between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has deepened, with Wike accusing Makinde of fueling the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during his end‑of‑year media chat in Port Harcourt, Wike alleged that Makinde, whom he described as the arrowhead of the Tanimu Turaki faction, was destabilising the party for selfish reasons. He dismissed Makinde’s claim that he had vowed to “hold the PDP down” for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, calling it a blatant lie. Wike explained that his meeting with Tinubu alongside former governors Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Makinde was routine and not politically motivated.
Makinde, however, accused Wike of plotting to destroy the PDP, regretting his own role in supporting Tinubu during the 2023 polls. The governor recently hosted a factional PDP convention in Ibadan, where Wike and allies including Ayodele Fayose, Ugwuanyi, and Ikpeazu were expelled.
Wike also criticised PDP stalwart Bode George, saying he lacked political influence in Lagos. He insisted the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee had expired and warned that if INEC failed to recognise a caretaker committee within 60 days, he would seek legal redress.
