Makinde Lied About Me Promising To Hold PDP For Tinubu – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as a “blatant lie” claims by Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, that he promised to hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike stated this on Monday during his end-of-year media chat held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while reacting to remarks credited to Makinde concerning an alleged meeting where Wike was said to have made the promise.

“That’s a blatant lie,” Wike said. “That is why you see Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike again. That is the last time he called me Wike.”

Questioning the basis of Makinde’s claim, the former Rivers State governor said no such meeting ever took place and challenged Makinde to explain why he failed to brief the PDP leadership on the alleged discussion.

“First of all, let us ask: 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.”

Wike clarified that the only meeting involving Makinde and other PDP leaders after the 2023 general election was a courtesy visit to President Tinubu, not a political negotiation.

He said, “Myself, former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Seyi Makinde went to see the President after the elections. And of course, the Chief of Staff was there.”

Describing Makinde’s allegation as unfair and misleading, Wike said it was wrong to ascribe statements to him that he never made.

“That is so unfair to say that I said that,” he stated. “If you look at that media chat, you will see that Makinde was frustrated.”

The FCT minister also took a swipe at Makinde’s political approach, suggesting that the Oyo State governor lacked sufficient understanding of the complexities of party politics.

“We have advised him several times,” Wike said.

“Politics is not like being a contractor with Shell. It has different rules.”

While acknowledging Makinde’s ambition, Wike stressed that political aspirations must align with established party norms and processes.

“There is nothing wrong with having ambition,” he added, “but your ambition must be according to the rules.”