MEDIA PARLEY: WIKE DENIES PLEDGING TO UNDERMINE PDP FOR TINUBU AHEAD OF 2027 POLLS
Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he promised President Bola Tinubu to “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the allegation as false and unfair.
Wike’s denial follows rising tensions within the PDP after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accused the former Rivers State governor of assuring President Tinubu that he would weaken the opposition party to aid the President’s re-election bid.
Speaking during an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday, Wike refuted the claim, insisting that no such promise was ever made. He said the allegation was a fabrication driven by frustration and political ambition.
“There was nothing like that. It is completely out of place for anybody to say that in any meeting I told Mr President that I would hold the PDP down for him,” Wike said.
Clarifying the circumstances surrounding the controversial meeting, Wike explained that the visit to President Tinubu occurred after the 2023 elections and involved several PDP leaders, including former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Governor Makinde.
According to him, the meeting was informal and not pre-arranged, stressing that the Chief of Staff to the President was present during discussions, which he said were unrelated to any plan to undermine the PDP.
Wike questioned why Makinde failed to raise the allegation earlier if it were true, adding that the timing of the accusation suggested internal political tension.
Describing Makinde’s claim as “very unfair,” Wike accused the Oyo State governor of being frustrated and lacking the courage to openly declare his presidential ambition.
“There is nothing wrong with having ambition, but ambition must be pursued according to the rules of politics,” he said, adding that politics is governed by different principles from private business dealings.
The controversy stems from comments made by Makinde during a media chat last week, where he alleged that Wike voluntarily pledged to weaken the PDP during a private 2023 meeting with President Tinubu. Makinde claimed the pledge was made without any prompting from the President and described it as the root of his fallout with Wike.
Makinde also expressed regret over supporting Tinubu in the 2023 elections and stated that he would not back the President in 2027, citing concerns about Nigeria’s democratic future.
The exchange has further exposed deepening divisions within the PDP as the party grapples with internal disagreements ahead of the next general election.
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