Wike To Makinde: Politics Is Not Shell Contract, I went Into Politics To Have Power

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a pointed verbal attack on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, warning that political battles should not be initiated without the capacity to sustain them.

Wike, while speaking on Monday at the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, dismissed as unfortunate certain claims allegedly made by Makinde regarding meetings involving the minister and the President.

He insisted that such assertions were misleading and ill-advised. “It is unfortunate that a fight you cannot fight, you started,” Wike said.

The FCT minister went further to draw a sharp distinction between politics and contract execution, cautioning against treating the former as a business venture.

“Politics is not contract work. They are two different things. You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor.

“Politics is not a contract of Shell. I didn’t go into politics to be a contractor. I went into politics to have power,” he said.

Wike also used the platform to counsel party members against engaging in unnecessary political confrontations, emphasising that political success hinges on strategy rather than bravado.

He also issued a stern warning to PDP members ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, insisting that commitment to the party must be demonstrated unequivocally.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody who doesn’t show commitment to the convention doesn’t come back after and say you are fully back. I will not accept that,” he said.

The minister further stressed the imperative of unity within the party, urging leaders to intensify reconciliation efforts while ensuring that sincerity remains the foundation of engagement among members.