 under){kind=link}
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed claims that he pledged to place the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the control of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the allegation as misleading and politically motivated.
Speaking during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, Wike reacted to recent remarks credited to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who accused him of fuelling internal turmoil within the PDP and encouraging defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Makinde, his fallout with Wike stemmed from a private meeting involving President Tinubu, where the FCT minister allegedly offered to “hold” the opposition party for the president in 2027.
The Oyo governor said the comment shocked him and influenced his decision to distance himself from Wike’s political camp.
Makinde, who spoke earlier at a media chat in Ibadan, explained that the moment marked a turning point.
He said he openly challenged Wike after the meeting and resolved not to be associated with any arrangement that compromised the PDP’s independence.
“From that point, I knew I could not be part of such a plan,” Makinde said, adding that political support must remain a personal choice.
Furthermore, the Oyo governor disclosed that he sought intervention through a mutual associate, hoping Wike would reconsider his position. However, he said those efforts failed, reinforcing his belief that the offer was unsolicited and deliberate.
In response, Wike flatly denied ever making such a promise, insisting that no meeting took place where such a statement could have been made. He described the allegation as “very unfair” and questioned why Makinde waited so long before raising the issue publicly.
Clarifying the circumstances, Wike said a post-election visit to the president involved several former governors and focused on broader political discussions, not party betrayal.
“At no point did I tell the president I would hand over PDP to anyone,” he said, stressing that the narrative being pushed was inaccurate.
Moreover, the FCT minister suggested that Makinde’s comments reflected personal frustration and inexperience in high-stakes political negotiations.
He argued that ambition is legitimate but must align with political realities. “Politics has its own rules, and you must understand them before making sweeping accusations,” Wike said.
He also challenged Makinde to be open about any presidential ambition, noting that political intentions are rarely hidden. “If he wants to run, he should say so clearly. We are not naïve,” Wike added.
Meanwhile, Makinde maintained that he possesses the capacity to seek the presidency if he chooses, reinforcing speculation about his national political aspirations.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the public exchange underscores deepening divisions within the PDP, raising fresh questions about unity, leadership, and the party’s strategic direction in the years ahead.