The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed claims that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has presidential ambitions for 2027. Wike also denied having a close personal relationship with Makinde, emphasizing that their connection is strictly political, not personal.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike explained that his recent disagreement with Makinde was about upholding party discipline within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), not political rivalry. Laughing off speculations linking their fallout to Makinde’s alleged presidential bid, he said:
“What’s that? We are talking about a breath of fresh air, you are talking about crap. What do you mean by not being happy for him to be a presidential candidate? Let us not trivialise this.”
Wike warned against treating leadership ambitions lightly, stressing that desperation within the PDP could be damaging.
“No, please, don’t get me wrong. It’s not about being a PhD holder, an engineer or a lawyer. No, that’s not it. It is not about waking up in the morning and saying I want to be a presidential candidate. Some people just want to run and at the end of the day become the leader of the party. Assuming you really want to be a presidential candidate, will you allow your party to have this kind of crisis?”
When asked about his personal relationship with Makinde, Wike said:
“No, he was my colleague. We belong to the same political party, not friendship. We are all political associates. And there is no law that says political associates must remain together.”
Wike explained that their fallout was due to maintaining party rules and ensuring the PDP functions properly. Addressing claims of betrayal against Makinde and other G-5 governors, he insisted he remained loyal and had even advised Makinde on party matters.
“When his senior brother died, I went with ex-Governor Ortom, Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and the former governor of Abia and Senator Ohuabunwa to pay him a condolence visit. I told him, ‘Seyi, the way you are going, you will destroy the party. Calm down. Take it easy. Look at the crisis now. What do you want me to do? I have never, and cannot, betray anybody. Nobody can tell me that. He has also not told me he was running for President, though.’”
Wike, a dominant voice in the PDP since the 2023 elections, said talk of 2027 is premature:
“Well, let us get to convention first now. We are still trying to see how we can elect a National Working Committee before we can talk about the National Convention.”
The strained relationship between Wike and Makinde underscores ongoing internal tensions within the PDP, which continues to grapple with cohesion following its defeat in the 2023 general elections.
