The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, of telling a “blatant lie” about him.
The relationship between the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders has remained strained since the conclusion of the 2023 presidential election. Both men were part of the G5 governors who declined to support Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition ahead of the polls.
Tensions escalated after Makinde alleged that Wike told President Bola Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold PDP” for the president in preparation for the 2027 election.
Makinde made the claim last Tuesday while addressing journalists during a media interaction at the Government House in Ibadan, where he recounted the political disagreement between himself and Wike.
“I was in a meeting with the president and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the president that I will hold PDP for you against 2027; I was in shock,” Makinde had said.
“So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”
The Oyo governor further stated that he would not support Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Reacting during his end-of-year media chat in Rivers State on Monday, Wike dismissed Makinde’s claim as false and unfair.
“That’s a blatant lie,” Wike said.
He expressed surprise at Makinde’s allegation, noting that the Oyo governor had never previously addressed him in that manner.
Wike questioned why Makinde failed to inform the PDP leadership about the alleged statement if it truly occurred.
“What was the purpose of that meeting? Why did Makinde not come out to tell the party that this is what Wike said?” he asked.
“There was no such meeting. What would have warranted me saying, ‘Mr. President, I will hold PDP for you’?”
He insisted that no such conversation took place, clarifying that he, alongside former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Makinde, jointly visited the president.
“That is so unfair to say that I said that. If you watched that media chat carefully, you would see that Makinde was frustrated,” Wike added.
The FCT minister also criticised Makinde’s political disposition, suggesting that the Oyo governor lacked a proper grasp of party politics.
“We have advised him several times. Politics is not like being a contractor with Shell. It has different rules,” Wike said.
Wike further claimed that Makinde’s grievances stemmed from his inability to secure a ministerial slot for his nominee.
“What we are dealing with today is that he was not given any ministerial slot,” he said.
According to Wike, efforts were made by party leaders to calm Makinde and explain the circumstances surrounding the appointments, including meetings with President Tinubu, but the Oyo governor appeared unreceptive.
He recalled an incident during a reception held in his honour by the Rivers State Government, where Samuel Ortom publicly declared support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, prompting Makinde to issue a rebuttal the following day.
Wike said he later advised Makinde that a softer response would have sufficed, rather than escalating the disagreement.