Wike slams Makinde over claims of political alignment, as PDP tensions deepen ahead of the national convention

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sharply criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, warning against engaging in political confrontations without the capacity to sustain them.

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Wike made the remarks on Monday during the 107th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, amid rising tensions within the opposition party.

The dispute follows comments by Makinde, who alleged that politicians aligned with a faction of the PDP backed by Wike were effectively supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde had claimed he attended a meeting involving Wike and the president, where assurances were allegedly made regarding political support. However, Wike dismissed the assertion as misleading.

“It is unfortunate that a fight you cannot fight, you started. Politics is not contract work,” Wike said, in a pointed response that underscored the deepening rift.

In a further remark widely interpreted as a personal jab, the minister drew a distinction between political ambition and business interests.

“You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor,” he added.

The exchange highlights growing friction within the PDP as factions position themselves ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.

Wike also cautioned party members against unnecessary confrontations, stressing that political success requires strategic calculation rather than rhetoric.

Looking ahead to the convention, he warned that members who fail to demonstrate commitment risk being sidelined in future party affairs.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody who doesn’t show commitment to the convention should not come back afterwards and say they are fully back,” he said.

Despite the sharp criticism, Wike called for unity within the party, urging leaders to pursue reconciliation efforts while maintaining sincerity and discipline.

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Political observers say the clash reflects the fragile balance within the PDP as it seeks to manage internal divisions and present a united front ahead of upcoming electoral contests.