“You Started a Fight You Cannot Fight”: Wike Erupts at Makinde as PDP Chair Declares Tinubu 2027 Candidate
The internal crisis tearing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart exploded into full view Monday as Nyesom Wike launched a blistering attack on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde—just hours after a party chairman declared the faction would not field a presidential candidate in 2027 and would instead back President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of his faction in Abuja, the FCT Minister accused Makinde of initiating a political battle he lacks the capacity to sustain.
“It’s unfortunate a fight you cannot fight, you started,” Wike said, responding to Makinde’s recent allegations that he is working to deliver the PDP to Tinubu in 2027.
members of the PDP at The 107th Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Abuja. photo credit- Lere Olayinka
“Politics Is Not a Contract”
Wike drew a sharp distinction between their political orientations:
“You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor. Politics is not a contract of Shell. I didn’t go into politics to be a contractor. I went into politics to have power.”
In a separate address, Wike told Makinde directly: “If you are not ready to play it, go home and rest. We are ready to have sleepless nights.”
Defectors Exposed, Says Wike
The Minister seized on the wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing it vindicates his position:
“They were accusing me of working for the APC. Where are they today? We had 13 governors… today, how many do we have? They all ran away because they were defeated.”
He contrasted his own stance: “I said I was not going to leave the party, and I will not.”
“Don’t Be Afraid”—Wike Urges PDP Aspirants
Despite the turbulence, Wike encouraged party members to contest the 2027 elections without fear:
“Those afraid that they will not win elections because they don’t have a governor from the PDP in their state, that is a lie. Remove fear from your body and have confidence.”
He also confirmed that the faction’s national convention will proceed March 29–30 as scheduled.
Bombshell: PDP Chair Declares Tinubu Adoption
In a stunning development, the Chairman of the PDP in Abia State, Amah Abraham, declared on Arise News that the Wike-led mainstream will not field a presidential candidate in 2027.
“As it stands today, as a result of the crisis we have passed through… the way forward is for this party to endorse the president for his second time,” Abraham stated.
He dismissed talk of factions, describing Wike as “the national leader of the mainstream, recognized by law, recognized by INEC.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike speaking at The 107th Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Abuja. photo credit- Lere Olayinka
Open to Reconciliation
Despite the harsh rhetoric, Wike indicated openness to reconciliation—with a deadline:
“Let it be in sincerity and not just about those who would want to use us for personal purposes. After this NEC meeting, anyone who does not show commitment and comes after the convention, we will not accept that.”
The Bottom Line
With one faction declaring it will back Tinubu in 2027 and the other vowing to field a candidate, the PDP stands more fractured than ever. Wike’s message to Makinde was unambiguous: the fight he started may not end the way he expects.
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