Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday broke his silence on his rift with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealing that the fallout was triggered by Wike’s alleged pledge to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Makinde, who spoke during a media chat in Ibadan, said the relationship collapsed after Wike made what he described as a shocking declaration during a meeting with President Tinubu, a pledge he said was neither requested nor endorsed by the President.
Makinde and Wike were key members of the G-5 governors who opposed the PDP’s choice of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate and Iyorchia Ayu as national chairman ahead of the 2023 general election, citing the imbalance of both positions being occupied by politicians from the North.
Recounting the incident, Makinde said Wike openly told President Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold the PDP” for him ahead of the 2027 election.
“I was in shock. When we got to the veranda, I asked him if we had agreed to that. Supporting the President is his right, but those of us who want democracy to survive and do not want a one-party state should also be allowed to do our own thing,” Makinde said.
He added that efforts by mutual associates to persuade Wike to reconsider his position failed, stressing that he decided to distance himself completely from such a move.
Makinde said it was even more disturbing that Tinubu did not ask Wike to make such a pledge.
“The President did not send him on that errand. He volunteered it. From that day, I made it clear I would not be part of it, and that is why I will not support the President in 2027,” he said.
The Oyo governor warned that weakening opposition parties and drifting toward a one-party system could endanger Nigeria’s democracy and trigger mass unrest.
“The day you move this country towards a one-party state, you should remember what happened during the Arab Spring. Nigerians’ reaction in 2027 is something we cannot imagine now,” he warned.
Makinde also stated that he regretted supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, describing the decision as a mistake.
“I regret supporting Tinubu in 2023. I am not above mistakes,” he said.
Makinde dismissed claims of disloyalty, insisting that his actions were guided by the need to protect democracy and strengthen institutions.
On the leadership crisis within the PDP, the governor accused the Independent National Electoral Commission of bias, insisting that the party’s convention held in Ibadan was valid and in line with the law.
He also criticised governors defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying such defections did not address the hardship faced by Nigerians.
“When governors defect, I am not bothered. Has hunger defected? Has anger defected?” he asked.
On speculations about his presidential ambition, Makinde said he was qualified to aspire to the nation’s highest office, citing his two-term experience as governor and his background in the private sector.
He concluded by saying his administration aimed to build strong institutions rather than focus solely on physical infrastructure, stressing that sustainable development must be anchored on systems that outlive political tenures.
