Wike Labels Makinde’s Claim About 2027 PDP Hand-Over “Blatant Lie”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that he assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of handing over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to him for the 2027 presidential election.

The claim was reportedly made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during a press briefing in Ibadan.

Speaking at his end-of-the-year media session in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike rejected the allegation, labeling it as untrue and misleading.

“That’s a blatant lie. You see, Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike,” the minister said, insisting that no such meeting ever took place with President Tinubu.

He questioned the basis of Makinde’s assertion, asking why the governor failed to brief the party if such a conversation had indeed occurred

“First of all, let us ask: what was the purpose of that meeting? Why did Makinde not come out to tell the party that this is what Wike said? There was no such meeting,” he stated.

Wike explained that the meeting between Makinde, other PDP leaders, and President Tinubu following the 2023 general election was purely a courtesy call, not a political discussion.

“Myself, former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Seyi Makinde went to see the President after the elections. And of course, the Chief of Staff was there,” he said.

Describing Makinde’s assertion as unfair, Wike stated that it was wrong to attribute statements to him that he never made.

“That is so unfair to say that I said that. If you look at that media chat, you will see that Makinde was frustrated,” he added.

The FCT minister also slammed Makinde’s approach to politics, suggesting that the Oyo governor lacked a proper understanding of party dynamics.

“We have advised him several times. Politics is not like being a contractor with Shell. It has different rules.

“There is nothing wrong with having ambition. But your ambition must be according to the rules,” he said, adding that “Makinde is a baby in politics and should take lessons from more experienced party actors.”