“Don’t Trivialise Leadership” — Wike Mocks 2027 Speculation Around Makinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday spoke about the reported plan of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to contest for president in 2027. He completely dismissed the idea and also said he was not personally close to Makinde, stressing that their link was only political.

While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike explained that his recent disagreement with Makinde was not about competition for power, but about keeping discipline inside the Peoples Democratic Party.

He reacted to claims that he was worried about Makinde’s interest in the presidency. Wike laughed and said the rumour made no sense. “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,” he said.

He warned that leadership is serious and not something people should chase without order. “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. No.”

Wike said some people only want to run for office so they can control the party. He asked why a true presidential hopeful would allow the PDP to experience crisis. He added, “Which of them has contributed to the PDP more than me, even up till now?”

On whether his friendship with Makinde had ended, he replied that they were never close personally. “What do you mean by friends? 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.”

Explaining what led to the fallout, Wike said, “It is on the issue of keeping the PDP, obeying the rules of law and allowing the party to be what it’s supposed to be.”

He rejected claims that he betrayed Makinde or other former G-5 governors. He said he has always been loyal and even tried to caution Makinde. “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.’”

Wike added that he did his best to advise him. “The way you are going, it will not help us. You’re my friend and my brother. 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.”

He also said talks about 2027 were still too early. “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,” he said.

The tension between Wike and Makinde adds to the ongoing troubles in the PDP, which is still battling unity issues after losing the 2023 elections.

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