Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has told the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to respect the political choices of others, stressing that he will not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Makinde made this known on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, where he said Wike has no right to dictate the political direction of fellow party members.
The governor recounted a past meeting involving himself, President Tinubu, and Wike, saying he was taken aback when the former Rivers State governor pledged to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu towards 2027, and I was in shock,” Makinde said. “He can support the president if he wants, but I will not.”
Makinde urged Wike to “allow us to make our choice,” adding that his immediate priority is to ensure the survival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Both Makinde and Wike, who are members of the PDP, supported Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election. They were part of the G5 group of PDP governors, which also included Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
The group withdrew support from the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, after the then-national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, declined to step down for a southerner. They argued that it was unfair for both the party chairman and presidential candidate to come from the same region.
Following Tinubu’s victory, however, relations between Makinde and Wike deteriorated. At a PDP convention held in Oyo State months later, the party suspended Wike and several other senior members, including former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The faction backed by Makinde accused Wike of engaging in anti-party activities, allegations he and his allies have denied.
Despite the suspension, Wike has maintained that he remains a member of the PDP and has repeatedly stated his intention to support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
