Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has accused Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of orchestrating a plot to deliberately weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to advantage President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in 2027.
Makinde made the allegations on Sunday following a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed in Bauchi. He asserted that any PDP member aligning with a faction led by Wike has effectively agreed to support the incumbent president in the next election cycle.
According to Makinde, the plot was confirmed during a meeting that included Wike and President Tinubu. “I was in a meeting with Wike and Mr President and he (Wike) promised to hold PDP for Mr President towards 2027,” Makinde stated. He elaborated, “So anyone moving with Wike and his group, have agreed to support President Tinubu for the 2027 election.”
The Oyo governor framed the internal discord as a conscious choice, saying, “We are not begrudging them. You can support whoever you want to support, but go to them if you want to support them.” He contrasted the factions, noting that Wike’s group purportedly holds the advantage of state power, including governmental machinery, the judiciary, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “But we have the people behind us,” Makinde concluded.
The public accusation underscores the deepening rift within Nigeria’s main opposition party. The PDP has been plagued by factional battles, particularly since the 2023 general elections, with Wike, a former Rivers State governor and influential party figure, often cited as a leader of one camp. Makinde, a key PDP figure and presidential aspirant in the last election, positions himself and his allies as the authentic opposition confronting a ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
This development signals a potential realignment ahead of the 2027 polls, suggesting some PDP operatives may be positioning themselves within the ruling party’s orbit. The party’s ability to present a united front will be critical to its chances of mounting a credible challenge. No immediate response has been issued by Minister Wike or his allies regarding the specific allegations. The episode highlights the persistent volatility in Nigeria’s opposition landscape as the political calculus for the next presidential race begins to take shape.
