Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has openly distanced himself from the 2027 presidential ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that while Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has the right to support Tinubu, he will not follow the same path.
The governor made this emphatic declaration on Tuesday during an extensive media chat held in Ibadan, where he also took a subtle but pointed swipe at his former political ally, questioning both Wike’s political intentions and influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde revealed that during a past meeting involving himself, President Tinubu, Wike, and other key political figures, the former Rivers State governor volunteered to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election — a comment he said left him shocked.
“I was in that meeting when Nyesom Wike openly told President Tinubu that he would hold the PDP for him against 2027. I was genuinely shocked,” Makinde disclosed. “Wike can support the president if he chooses, but I will not. He should allow others to make their own political choices.”
The governor stressed that his immediate focus is ensuring the survival and stability of the PDP, warning against actions capable of weakening the opposition party ahead of future elections.
G5 Alliance Fractures
Makinde and Wike were both prominent members of the G5 governors, a bloc of five PDP governors who, in the 2023 general election, revolted against the party’s leadership and supported Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group — which included former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) — hinged its rebellion on the refusal of then PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to step down for a southerner after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
However, post-election realities appear to have split the once-united G5, with Makinde now openly challenging Wike’s continued alliance with the APC-led federal government.
Tensions escalated further when the PDP recently held its convention in Oyo State, leading to the suspension of Wike and other high-ranking members over alleged anti-party activities — allegations they have consistently denied.
Despite the suspension, Wike has repeatedly insisted he remains a PDP member and has publicly affirmed his intention to support President Tinubu in 2027.
“I Was Already Earning Millions Before Wike Finished Law School— Makinde Throws Personal Jab
In a more personal tone, Governor Makinde also dismissed any insinuation of political or financial inferiority to Wike, stating that he had achieved international financial success long before the FCT minister completed law school.
Makinde disclosed that at 29 years old, he was already earning millions of dollars working with multinational oil companies, at a time he said Wike was still at the early stages of his legal career.
While clarifying that the remark was not borne out of arrogance, the governor insisted it was necessary to correct what he described as attempts to belittle his political standing.
Allegation of PDP Sabotage
The Oyo governor further alleged that Wike’s alliance with President Tinubu was a calculated effort to weaken the PDP, particularly in Oyo State, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He claimed that this became evident during another meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja, where he confronted Wike, stressing that such political moves were never part of any prior understanding among them.
As political permutations ahead of 2027 gather momentum, Makinde’s comments signal a deepening rift within the PDP and underscore growing internal battles that could shape the future of Nigeria’s opposition politics.
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EGALITARIAN VOICE reports.
