Makinde Explains Rift with Wike, Accuses FCT Minister of Plot to Undermine PDP Ahead of 2027

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained the circumstances behind his fallout with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, his former political ally, a rift that has intensified internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and split the party into rival camps.
Makinde alleged that Wike assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he would ensure the PDP posed no threat to him in the 2027 presidential election. According to the governor, that alleged commitment marked the breaking point in their relationship, warning that such actions could push Nigeria toward a one-party state.
Reacting swiftly, Wike dismissed the allegation, accusing Makinde of using him as a proxy to attack President Tinubu. He argued that Makinde’s grievance was rooted in Tinubu’s decision to appoint Adebayo Adelabu as minister from Oyo State instead of Makinde’s preferred nominee.
Speaking to journalists during a media interaction in Ibadan on Tuesday, Makinde declared that he would not support President Tinubu in 2027, adding that he was qualified to lead Nigeria.
Makinde had supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election alongside Wike and three other PDP governors—Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)—under the G-5 alliance that worked against the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Calling on Wike to respect the political choices of others, Makinde said he was shocked when Wike allegedly told President Tinubu that he would “hold down the PDP” ahead of the 2027 election.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike and others when Wike volunteered that he would hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027. I was shocked,” Makinde said. “Wike can support the President in 2027, but I will not.”
He stressed that while Wike was entitled to his political preference, others should be allowed the same freedom.
“The real issue is that Wike wants to support the President for 2027. That is his right. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and that the PDP survives as well,” he said.
Makinde added that attempts to resolve the matter quietly failed, forcing a direct confrontation.
“I tried to engage him through a mutual friend, but when he did not back off, I confronted him directly. From that day, I made it clear that I would never be part of this,” he said.
He warned that continued political manoeuvres aimed at weakening the opposition could endanger Nigeria’s democratic balance.
“Some of us want to ensure that we do not drift into a one-party state. We want the PDP to survive,” he added.
Wike: Makinde angry over ministerial slot
Responding through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Wike said Makinde was angry with President Tinubu over the rejection of his ministerial nominee and had redirected that anger toward him.
“He picked offence and extended it to Wike,” Olayinka said.
Olayinka further accused Makinde of serial party-switching driven by personal ambition, citing his political history.
“In 2007, he left the PDP for the ANPP after failing to secure a senatorial ticket. In 2015, he left for the SDP after failing to get the governorship ticket. In 2019, but for securing the PDP governorship ticket, he would have defected again,” he said.
He claimed Makinde joined the PDP G-5 governors in 2023 primarily to secure his re-election and predicted another defection after 2027.
Olayinka also alleged that Makinde worked against Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in 2022 to remain the only PDP governor in the South-West.
‘I am qualified to lead Nigeria’
On his political future, Makinde said he was qualified to lead the country, citing his experience in both public service and the private sector.
“To serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified—indeed, overqualified,” he said.
He noted that by May 2027 he would have completed two terms as governor, drawing a comparison with President Tinubu, a former two-term governor of Lagos State.
Makinde also referenced his private-sector background, including leadership roles in companies and work with multinational oil firms such as Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron, while stressing that it was premature to declare a presidential ambition.
He expressed concern over what he described as a weakening opposition, pointing to growing defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adelabu lacks capacity — Makinde
Makinde also criticised Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, saying he lacked the capacity to organise the APC in Oyo State.
He faulted the Tinubu administration for falling short of expectations on national unity and competence, revealing that a developmental economist he recommended for the position of Minister of Budget and Economic Planning was not selected.
“If Adelabu was appointed to help organise the APC in Oyo State, then the decision was misplaced. He does not have the capacity,” Makinde said, adding that he rejected a direct request from the President to help organise the APC in the state.
How the Makinde–Wike alliance collapsed
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Makinde and Wike jointly led a rebellion within the PDP following Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
However, as preparations for 2027 intensified, their relationship deteriorated after Wike openly declared support for Tinubu and reportedly urged the PDP not to field a presidential candidate.
This stance was rejected by several PDP governors, deepening divisions within the party’s leadership and National Working Committee under Ambassador Umar Damagum.
The crisis escalated through court judgments and counter-judgments, culminating in a disputed national convention last month. While some governors defected to the APC, others aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction, while Wike and his allies backed a caretaker committee headed by former national secretary Samuel Anyanwu.
Both factions are now awaiting court rulings to determine the party’s legitimate leadership.
Wike playing spoiler role — Analyst
Public affairs analyst Jide Ojo described Wike as playing a spoiler’s role within the PDP.
“He wants to empty the PDP and leave the carcass after 2027,” Ojo said.
He argued that Wike’s actions aligned with Makinde’s claims and accused the FCT minister of deliberately weakening the opposition.
“If a party chieftain is demanding that the PDP should not field a presidential candidate, then people of conscience must resist that,” Ojo said.
According to him, Makinde’s remarks have clarified Wike’s role in the ongoing PDP crisis