‘Makinde started a fight he can’t win’ — Wike tackles Oyo governor over PDP crisis

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has taken a dig at Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, over the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike spoke on Monday at the national executive committee (NWC) meeting of the PDP faction chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed.

Following the appeal court judgement nullifying the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo, which produced Kabiru Turaki as chairman, party stakeholders have urged both factions to reconcile to ensure the party does not miss the opportunity to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

On Sunday, Makinde, who is aligned with the Turaki’s faction, said anyone engaging with Wike’s camp has effectively chosen to back President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

“We need Nigerians to judge. If you can be in their camp, where they promised to support the president, so be it. We are not begrudging them. You can support whoever you like to support. But go to them if you want to support them. That is our position,” Makinde said.

“They have the government behind them. They have the judiciary behind them. They have INEC behind them. But we have the people behind us.”

Wike said the Oyo governor picked a fight he knows he cannot win, accusing him of escalating tensions within the party despite lacking the political leverage to prevail.

“A fight you can’t fight, don’t start it,” Wike said.

Also speaking, Mohammed said the national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 will be held as scheduled despite an alleged plot by Makinde’s faction to halt the exercise.

Mohammed expressed confidence in the party’s strength as a viable opposition, adding that members must remain disciplined and united ahead of the convention.