Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has opened up on the main issue behind his disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, citing political differences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde made the disclosure during a media chat with selected journalists on Tuesday, where he said the rift stemmed from a meeting involving President Bola Tinubu and Wike, during which the FCT Minister allegedly declared his intention to deliver the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to President Tinubu in 2027.
According to Makinde, the statement came as a shock to him, especially given the implications for the opposition party.
“The real issue is that I was with President Tinubu and Wike, and I’m saying this in open chat. The President’s Chief of Staff was also in that meeting,” Makinde said.
“Wike said he would hold PDP for President Tinubu in 2027. I was in shock. So when we got up to the veranda, I asked him, ‘Wike, did we agree to this?’”
Makinde stressed that while Wike is entitled to support any candidate of his choice, others within the PDP are focused on preserving democratic balance in the country.
“He wants to support the president in the 2027 elections. That’s fine. It’s his right to do that,” he added.
“Some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, that we don’t drift into a one-party state, and that the PDP survives.”
The Oyo governor also dismissed claims of personal rivalry, noting that he harbours no grudges against anyone and that his concerns are rooted in the future of democracy and opposition politics in Nigeria.
