Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has made a startling revelation about the political strategy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alleging that Wike's refusal to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a calculated move to control the opposition party for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde's Shocking Allegation from High-Level Meeting
Governor Makinde disclosed this during a media chat held in Ibadan on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. He recounted a pivotal meeting involving President Tinubu, the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior officials, where the tension between him and Wike became unmistakably clear.
According to Makinde, he was taken aback when Minister Wike allegedly volunteered to President Tinubu that he would "hold the PDP" for him in the run-up to the 2027 polls. "The President did not ask him to do this; he volunteered," Makinde stated, emphasizing that this declaration marked a significant turning point in his own political calculations.
Governor's Stance on Party Independence and 2027
Makinde explained that Wike's alleged proclamation reinforced his decision to distance himself from any political arrangement he believes undermines the autonomy of political parties and Nigeria's multiparty democracy. "I told him from that day that I would never be a part of this," the governor asserted.
He clarified his position, stating that while Wike is within his rights to support President Tinubu, he reserves the right to make his own decisions. "Wike can support him, and that is within his right, but it is equally my right to decide who I will support and what role I will play in 2027," Makinde said, explaining his refusal to back Tinubu's re-election bid.
Deepening Rift and Emerging Factions in the PDP
The governor's comments highlight the severe and growing internal crisis within the main opposition party, the PDP. The party is now visibly fracturing into two major blocs ahead of the next national elections.
One faction is led by Nyesom Wike and is widely perceived as aligning with the interests of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The other camp, championed by Governor Seyi Makinde, insists on the necessity of preserving the PDP's independence and strengthening multiparty democracy in Nigeria. This deepening divide signals an intense internal struggle for the soul and control of the PDP as political realignments for 2027 gain momentum.
During the same media interaction, Governor Makinde also reflected on his personal journey, recalling a defining early career achievement. He noted that at the age of 29 in 1997, he secured a major contract with Mobil worth $1 million. "Within one year, I made $1 million in my pocket," he said, contrasting his business background with Wike's political career, suggesting the latter had just left law school around that time.
The public airing of these allegations by a sitting PDP governor underscores the profound cracks within the party's leadership and sets the stage for a fierce battle for its future direction in the coming years.
