Nigeria’s Governor trade barbs over 2027 politics as Makinde recounts early wealth and Wike clash
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly detailed the roots of his long-running feud with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, boasting of his business success at a young age while accusing Wike of plotting to undermine Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Makinde, 56, traced their disagreement back to the late 1990s, when his engineering firm Makon secured a major contract from oil giant Mobil at the age of 29.
“Within a year, I made $1 million in 1997,” he said. “At that time, Wike was just finishing law school and later became a local government chairman.”
The governor insisted the rift is not personal but stems from a “fundamental political disagreement” that boiled over at a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Wike’s alleged pledge to ‘hold PDP’
According to Mr Makinde, Mr Wike, a former Rivers State governor and key ally of the president, volunteered an unsolicited commitment during the meeting.
“Wike told the President, ‘Well sir, I’ll hold PDP for you in 2027’,” Mr Makinde recounted, adding he was “shocked” as no such assurance had been requested.
He confronted Mr Wike privately afterwards, questioning any prior agreement on the stance.
Mr Makinde, a PDP member, warned that such moves risk pushing Nigeria towards a “one-party state” and stressed the need to protect the party’s survival.
“Wike has every right to support the president’s 2027 ambition,” he said. “But those who care about our democracy must be allowed to pursue alternative paths. Just as he is free to make his choice, I am entitled to mine, and I made it clear I will not support the president’s bid.
South South PDP Hails UNIPORT Conferment of Honourary Doctor Of Science On Wike
“PDP’s fragile unity, The exchange highlights deepening tensions within Nigeria’s political elite as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
Mr Wike, who allegedly defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 amid a bitter fallout with then, PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has been accused by party loyalists of sabotaging opposition efforts.
Mr Makinde confided in a mutual friend post, meeting in hopes Mr Wike would reconsider, but proceeded to speak out when that failed.
“I generally avoid talking about individuals,” he noted, “but this is about the real issue at stake.”Neither Mr Wike nor the presidency has commented publicly on the claims.
The PDP has faced internal divisions since its 2023 election loss, with governors like Mr Makinde pushing for reforms to challenge the APC’s dominance.
