…reveals what he told Makinde during condolence visit in Ibadan
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has downplayed speculations about a 2027 presidential ambition by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, insisting their relationship has always been political rather than personal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike said his recent disagreement with the Oyo governor was not born out of rivalry but out of his commitment to party discipline within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reacting to reports that their fallout stemmed from Makinde’s alleged interest in the presidency, Wike dismissed the claim with a chuckle.
“What’s that? We are talking about a breath of fresh air, you are talking about crap,” he said. “What do you mean by not being happy for him to be a presidential candidate? Let us not trivialise this.”
He warned that political ambition must not be driven by desperation or shallow motivations.
“It’s not about being a PhD holder, an engineer or a lawyer. No. It’s not about waking up one morning and saying, ‘I want to be president.’ Some people just want to run so they can end up becoming the leader of the party,” he said.
“Assuming you really want to be a presidential candidate, will you allow your party to have this kind of crisis? Which of them has contributed to the PDP more than me, even up till now?” Wike asked.
When pressed on whether his friendship with Makinde had collapsed, Wike was blunt: “What do you mean by friends? No, he was my colleague. We belong to the same political party, not friendship. We are political associates. And there’s no law that says political associates must remain together.”
Explaining the root of his disagreement with the Oyo governor, the former Rivers State governor said it was about principle and the need to keep the PDP aligned with its rules and ideals.
“It is on the issue of keeping the PDP, obeying the rules of law and allowing the party to be what it’s supposed to be,” he said.
On accusations that he betrayed Makinde and other members of the G-5 governors, Wike maintained that he remained loyal and even advised Makinde during a private visit.
“When his senior brother died, I went with former governors Ortom, Ugwuanyi, and Ikpeazu, as well as Senator Ohuabunwa, to pay him a condolence visit in Ibadan,” he recalled.
“I told him, ‘Seyi, the way you are going, you will destroy the party. It will not help us. Calm down. Take it easy.’ Look at the crisis now. What do you want me to do? I have never, and cannot, betray anybody.”
He also noted that Makinde never told him he was running for president.
Wike, who has remained one of the most influential figures in the PDP since the 2023 elections, said discussions about 2027 were premature.
“Well, let us get to the convention first. We are still trying to elect a National Working Committee before we can talk about the National Convention,” he said.
The rift between Wike and Makinde adds another layer to the internal cracks within the PDP, which has struggled to maintain unity after its defeat in the last general elections.
While downplaying rumours about Makinde’s presidential ambition, Wike reiterated that leadership should not be treated as an impulsive pursuit.
“Leadership is not something you wake up and chase without order or principle,” he said. “It takes discipline, contribution, and loyalty to the party’s structure.”