Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has formally declared that he will not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, marking a definitive split from the political alignment of his long-time ally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during a media chat on Tuesday in the state capital, Makinde signaled a new chapter in the internal crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing his commitment to protecting Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
The Governor revealed that the friction between himself and Wike intensified during a high-profile meeting attended by President Tinubu and his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
During the session, Makinde claimed that Wike unilaterally volunteered to “hold the PDP” for the President to secure the 2027 elections—a statement that left Makinde visibly shocked.
He clarified that the President did not make such a request, but that Wike took the initiative on his own. In response, Makinde told the FCT Minister that he would never be part of any arrangement to compromise the independence of the opposition.
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While acknowledging that Wike is within his rights to support the current administration, Makinde insisted that those interested in the survival of the PDP must be allowed to make their own choices.
He noted that despite several attempts to engage Wike on the matter, the situation remained unresolved, prompting him to take a firm public stance.
For Makinde, the move is less about personal animosity and more about ensuring that Nigeria does not slide into a one-party state.
In a rare moment of personal comparison, the Governor also addressed the differences in their professional backgrounds to underscore his independence.
He recalled that by 1997, at just 29 years old, he had already earned his first $1 million through a major contract with Mobil, a feat he achieved while Wike was likely just finishing law school before transitioning into his first political role as a local government chairman.
Makinde suggested that this early financial success provided him with the foundation to remain principled in his political dealings.
This latest development confirms a deepening ideological rift within the PDP. One faction, led by Wike, appears increasingly integrated with the ruling party’s machinery, while the other, now firmly led by Makinde, is positioning itself as the vanguard for party autonomy.