Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has thrown subtle jabs at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while reflecting on his early success in business and speaking candidly about the growing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during a media interaction on Tuesday, Makinde recounted how he earned his first one million dollars as a young entrepreneur in 1997 at the age of 29, a period he noted coincided with Wike’s early professional years after law school.
According to the governor, the breakthrough came through a contract awarded to his company, Makon, by Mobil. He said the deal not only marked a major milestone in his career but also yielded personal financial success within a year.
Makinde contrasted that period with Wike’s trajectory at the time, noting that the FCT minister was just beginning his professional journey before moving on to serve as a local government chairman.
Beyond personal anecdotes, the Oyo governor addressed the internal tensions rocking the PDP, accusing Wike of actions that undermine the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He recalled attending a meeting with President Bola Tinubu and Wike, during which Wike allegedly pledged to keep the PDP under control in favour of the President’s 2027 ambition—an assertion Makinde said caught him completely off guard.
Makinde explained that the statement had not been discussed beforehand and that he confronted Wike immediately after the meeting, expressing his displeasure and distancing himself from the position.
The governor said he also made his stance clear to President Tinubu, stressing that his loyalty remains with the PDP and that he would not support efforts to strengthen the APC in Oyo State.
According to Makinde, the heart of the disagreement lies in Wike’s open support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, which he insists should not be forced on other PDP members.
While acknowledging Wike’s right to make his political choices, Makinde maintained that others within the party also deserve the freedom to decide their own paths in 2027.
He revealed that attempts were made to resolve the disagreement quietly through mutual associates, but when those efforts failed, he chose to address the issue directly—an episode he said explains the ongoing friction within the PDP.