Wike Denies Promising To Hold PDP For Tinubu

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that he promised to ‘hold the PDP’ for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the allegation as a blatant lie.

Wike spoke during a live media chat on Channels Television on Monday, where he said no such meeting ever took place and that he never made such a statement to President Tinubu.

His reaction followed comments by Makinde during a media chat in Ibadan last week, where the Oyo governor said he was shocked when Wike allegedly told President Tinubu that he would secure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for him in 2027.

“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.

He stressed that although Wike has the right to support Tinubu, others should also have the freedom to make independent political decisions, urging Wike to allow others make their own choices.

“I tried to engage him through a mutual friend, but when he did not back off, I confronted him directly. From that day, I made it clear I would never be part of this. Wike can support him, but it is also within my right to decide who I will support or what I will do in 2027. This explains the current conflict within the PDP.”

“It is within his right to do that. But also, it is within my own right to decide within the political space who I will support or what I will do in 2027,” Makinde said.

Responding, Wike said it was “completely out of place” for anyone to suggest that he made such a promise to the president.

“That is very unfair. Very, very unfair. Totally unfair.
What was that meeting? What was the purpose of that meeting that would have led me to say, ‘Mr President, I will hold PDP for you?’” Wike asked questioning why the allegation was being raised now.

He further insisted that there was no meeting where such a discussion took place and challenged Makinde’s account, noting that other people including the G5 were allegedly present.

He explained that the visit to the president was a general post-election courtesy call by some former governors to discuss national issues, not a politically motivated meeting.

“There was nothing like a meeting where I told Mr President I would hold PDP for him,” he said.

Additionally, Wike accused Makinde of misrepresenting events and acting out of frustration. He also linked the ongoing crisis within the PDP to internal ambition and leadership struggles, rather than any alleged alliance with the ruling party.

“If you watch him, you will see frustration. Frustration can make you do a lot of things that will damage the party,” Wike said referring to Makinde.

According to him, the PDP’s problems could have been avoided if party leaders had followed due process and listened to elders within the party.

He noted that internal divisions and disregard for court decisions was what weakened the opposition party, insisting that blaming external forces for the PDP’s troubles was misleading.