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Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has denied claims that he promised President Bola Tinubu to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The denial comes amid tensions within the PDP following last week’s accusation by Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor, that Wike offered to undermine the party to support Tinubu’s political ambitions.
Wike clarified on Monday during a media chat at his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He dismissed the accusation as false, suggesting that Makinde’s claims reflected frustration over his reluctance to openly declare his own presidential ambitions.
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According to Wike, Makinde had never addressed him as “Wike” before. He questioned the purpose of the alleged meeting with the president and why he would ever agree to “hold PDP down” for Tinubu.
Wike also asked why Makinde had not raised the matter with the party earlier if it were true. He clarified that no private meeting with the president involved such a pledge, explaining that he, along with former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Makinde, met the president after the elections to discuss certain matters. The Chief of Staff was present, and Wike said he asked him to sit down so they could review what had been discussed. There was no meeting intended to undermine the PDP, he stated.
The minister warned that the PDP’s chances of returning to power in the next electoral cycle could be affected if its internal crisis remained unresolved.
“We have a leadership that is not focused and does not know what to do or take suggestions. If the leadership is committed and admits mistakes, why are things happening this way, and what do we do to make corrections?” Wike asked.
He added that it is not just about taking over the government; the party must position itself. By 2027, the PDP may face difficulties, but the party cannot be allowed to fail. Building up and making the right decisions depends on the leadership, he said.
The PDP has been facing internal crises since the 2023 elections and has seen defections, including serving governors, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike accused Makinde of seeking total control over the party and obtaining an ex parte order from an Ibadan court to advance his ambitions. The two former allies have reportedly been at odds in recent months.
It would be recalled that on December 23, Makinde alleged that Wike had attempted to weaken the PDP in support of President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, describing such actions as a threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
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Wike dismissed the claim as unfair, saying Makinde’s frustration was evident. “Politics is not like being a contractor with Shell. Politics has different rules. Ambition is fine, but it must be pursued according to the rules,” he said.
The controversy stems from Makinde’s media briefing last week, where he recounted a private 2023 meeting involving himself, Wike, and President Tinubu. Makinde claimed Wike voluntarily pledged to weaken the PDP to aid Tinubu’s re-election, an offer he says was never prompted by the president.
Makinde also expressed regret over supporting Tinubu in the 2023 elections and said he would not back him in 2027, citing concerns over Nigeria’s democratic process.
