PDP crisis: You started fight you couldn’t win, Wike slams Makinde

By Omeiza Ajayi

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday night took a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, declaring that the governor had entered a political battle he lacked the capacity to finish.

Speaking at the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Wike mocked Makinde’s reliance on contracts and judicial orders, stating that “politics and Shell contracts are not the same thing.”

Meanwhile, the PDP at the NEC meeting came up with a resolution to move into its National Convention as a unified body and adopt a “no victor, no vanquished” stance to bridge internal divisions.

The meeting served as the final clearing house for the party’s leadership ahead of the March 29 and 30 elective convention.

In a communiqué issued after the session, the NEC officially ratified the reports from the recently concluded ward, local government, state and zonal congresses.

The communiquè was signed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, both Chairman and Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee.

Party leaders described these exercises as transparent and credible steps that proved the PDP’s organisational health.

Earlier, Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, told the assembly that the party has successfully navigated recent legal and political hurdles.

He attributed much of this stability to the role played by Wike, praising his “doggedness and uncommon sacrifices” in keeping the party structures intact.

“We have made significant progress in restoring confidence. Through collective resolve and maturity, we can now say the PDP remains one indivisible family”, said Mohammed.

A major outcome of the meeting was the formal affirmation of the zoning formula for national elective positions.

According to the communiqué, the NEC adopted the arrangement based on the party’s principles of equity and national balance.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, urged members to accept the zoning recommendations with an open mind.

He noted that while no system satisfies everyone, the “greater good of the party” must come first.

Ohuabunwa also pointed to the ongoing electronic membership registration as a vital tool for modernisation, calling it the foundation of a serious political organisation.

The NEC designated the theme for the convention as: “A Convention of Inclusiveness, Unity and Renewal.”

Legislative leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, joined the call for discipline, stating that the party is now positioned as a strong alternative for Nigerians.

As the meeting wrapped up, the leadership directed all convention committees to ensure a seamless exercise and concluded that the PDP is now prepared to provide “purposeful leadership and national direction” as it eyes the 2027 polls.

Wike hits Makinde

Wike, who was celebrated by the party’s leadership for his role in stabilising the PDP, warned that he would not tolerate “ticket-seekers” who only show commitment when they need the party’s platform for elections.

Referring to Makinde, Wike said, “It is unfortunate; a fight you cannot fight, you started. I didn’t want to be a contractor; I wanted to have power. You wanted money. You had a contract of over $1.7 million. Stay there as a contractor. Contract and politics are not the same thing. You can see the difference now.”

He said Makinde could not accuse him of influencing the judiciary when the Oyo governor also secured a favourable court injunction in Ibadan.

Wike issued a stern warning to party members who remain on the fence, stating that anyone who fails to show full commitment to the upcoming convention should not expect a warm welcome afterwards.

He dismissed tricksters disgusting as PDP members, insisting that politicians must stand their ground and defend their positions rather than lying to constituents for votes.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody that doesn’t show commitment to the convention, don’t come back and tell us that ‘oh, I’m fully back.’ No, I will not accept that,” he said.

The minister urged aspirants and party members not to be intimidated by the absence of a governor in their corner or the “federal might.”

Drawing from his own experience of winning the governorship in Rivers State without the support of the then-sitting governor, Wike emphasised that a genuine connection with the people outweighs financial influence or state allocations.

“Money is not everything in this world; money has limitations. Remove fear from your body. The moment you have fear, you have already failed. Believe that you have the capacity to do this and you can do it”, he said.

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