By Ayomide Otitoju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he promised to deliver the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the clarification on Monday during a media chat at his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in response to allegations by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that he was behind the crisis currently affecting the PDP and the recent wave of defections of party members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde had earlier said he regretted supporting President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, noting that the decision did not yield the outcome he expected. He explained that his disagreement with Wike stemmed from a meeting in which the FCT minister allegedly told the president that he would “hold the PDP” for him ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to Makinde, the meeting was attended by President Tinubu, Wike, the President’s Chief of Staff and other officials. He said the alleged remark shocked him and prompted him to distance himself from what he described as an attempt to undermine the opposition party.
Makinde added that he later discussed the matter with a mutual associate in the hope that Wike would reconsider his position, but claimed the minister did not back down.
Responding, Wike dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and attributing them to frustration on the part of the Oyo State governor. He denied ever making such a pledge to President Tinubu and insisted that no such meeting, as described by Makinde, took place.
The FCT minister explained that he, alongside former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, and Makinde, only paid a post-election visit to President Tinubu to discuss issues of mutual concern.
“It is completely out of place for anyone to say that I told the President I would hold the PDP for him. That is very unfair,” Wike said.
He further criticised Makinde, accusing him of political inexperience and frustration, while stating that ambition was not wrong but must be pursued within the accepted rules of politics.
Wike also alleged that Makinde harbours presidential ambitions but lacks the courage to declare them openly, adding that political manoeuvres are often known even when not publicly stated.
During his own media interaction at the Government House in Ibadan, Makinde said he possessed the capacity to contest the presidency if he chose to do so.
