Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 general elections centres on the right of individuals to make independent political choices, insisting he will not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Makinde made the remarks during a media chat in Ibadan, where he addressed questions on his political relationship with Wike, a former ally within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said while Wike is entitled to back any candidate of his choice, including Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he should not attempt to impose such decisions on others within the party.
The Oyo governor disclosed that his concerns were heightened following a meeting involving President Tinubu, Wike and other political figures, during which the former Rivers State governor reportedly pledged to hold the PDP for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Makinde said the statement came as a surprise to him.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock, Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not.” he said.
Makinde stressed that his immediate political priority is the survival and stability of the PDP, urging party members to be allowed to take positions guided by their convictions.
He said political choices should not be dictated by any individual, regardless of influence or past alliances.
Recall that Makinde and Wike were prominent members of the G5 group of PDP governors who broke ranks with the party leadership during the 2023 general elections.
The group, which also included former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Samuel Ortom of Benue, supported Tinubu after disagreements with the PDP leadership over zoning arrangements.
At the centre of the dispute was the refusal of the then PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to step down for a southerner, despite the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, also coming from the north.
The G5 governors argued that the arrangement violated internal party balance and equity.
Following Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, political realignments within the PDP intensified. Wike later accepted appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Tinubu’s administration.
Relations between Makinde and Wike have since deteriorated. The PDP held a convention in Oyo State where disciplinary measures were announced against Wike and other senior party figures, including former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose.
The faction aligned with Makinde accused Wike of anti-party activities, allegations which Wike and his supporters have denied.
Despite the disciplinary actions, Wike has maintained that he remains a member of the PDP and has repeatedly stated his intention to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, however, reiterated that political loyalty should not override democratic choice. He said his position was not about personal rivalry but about protecting the integrity of the party and ensuring that members are free to decide their political futures without coercion.
