The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, over the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike made the remarks on Monday during a national executive committee (NWC) meeting of a PDP faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The party has been divided following a court of appeal ruling that nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, which produced Kabiru Turaki as chairman. Stakeholders have since called for reconciliation between the factions to avoid jeopardising the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
On Sunday, Makinde, who supports Turaki’s faction, stated that anyone aligning with Wike’s camp has effectively chosen to back President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
“We need Nigerians to judge. If you can be in their camp, where they promised to support the president, so be it. We are not begrudging them. You can support whoever you like to support. But go to them if you want to support them. That is our position,” Makinde said.
“They have the government behind them. They have the judiciary behind them. They have INEC behind them. But we have the people behind us.”
Responding, Wike accused Makinde of escalating tensions unnecessarily, warning that he had entered a battle beyond his capacity.
“A fight you can’t fight, don’t start it,” Wike said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Abdulrahman Mohammed reaffirmed that the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 would proceed as planned, despite alleged attempts by Makinde’s faction to disrupt it.
Mohammed expressed confidence in the PDP’s position as a strong opposition force and urged members to remain united and disciplined ahead of the convention.