Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have publicly criticised each other amid a continuing internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with both leaders addressing factional disputes and party loyalty.
Their remarks were made in separate public statements and media comments.
The PDP has experienced a series of internal disputes involving rival blocs, leadership disagreements and factional actions in recent months. These divisions have included legal challenges, conflicting decisions on party committees and varied approaches to party governance.
The positions expressed by Makinde and Wike reflect tensions within the party’s ranks as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
At the inauguration of a newly constructed PDP Secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde said individuals he described as “vagabonds” who once wielded influence in the party had been expelled and that the party should not be used to benefit another political organisation.
He described past alignments with some party figures as regrettable but said he had since changed his stance, emphasising unity and stability within the PDP in Oyo State.
Makinde expressed confidence in the judiciary to resolve ongoing legal disputes involving the party, saying that justice would ultimately be served in those cases. He characterised his province’s commitment to the PDP as focused on growth, unity and electoral preparedness.
Separate comments associated with Wike’s camp included criticism of Makinde’s political consistency. A spokesperson for the FCT minister described Makinde’s remarks as a sign of political fear and questioned his past political alignments.
The spokesperson warned that past actions within party politics could continue to influence perceptions of his current stance.
Makinde said: “Let me confess. I came into government in 2019, and towards 2023, I was aligned with them, but now I’ve repented. I am now born again. But for them to hold PDP just for another party to be in power, it is a no, no, no.”
A spokesperson aligned with Wike said: “He (Makinde) admitted that he was a vagabond. He said he has now repented. So, he is first a vagabond who claimed to have repented; happy repentance to him from being a vagabond.”
The public exchange between Makinde and representatives of Wike’s faction highlights wider internal challenges within the PDP. Political observers say such disputes can affect party cohesion and organisational strategy as parties position themselves ahead of national elections.
The developments come amid broader discussions about party unity, leadership direction and electoral readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister Nyesom Wike have publicly traded sharp criticisms reflecting deep internal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Their remarks underscore ongoing tensions and leadership challenges as the party navigates internal divisions on its approach to governance and electoral strategy.
