Wike Reveals Reason Behind Fallout With Gov. Makinde, Says ‘He Is Not My Friend
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied having a close friendship with the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, insisting that their relationship was purely political and not personal.
Naija News recalls that Makinde was among the G5 governors led by Wike who worked against the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
However, when asked about his friendship with Makinde during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today Programme, Wike said, “What do you mean by friends? No, he was my colleague. We belong to the same political party, not friendship. Seyi Makinde is not my friend. We are all political associates. And there is no law that says political associates must remain together.”
Speaking on the reason for his fallout, Wike pointed to the need to obey the party’s laws.
The former governor of Rivers state also denied claims of betraying Makinde and other G-5 governors, stressing that he remained loyal and had even cautioned the Oyo state governor on his handling of party matters.
He stressed, “It is on the issue of keeping the PDP, obeying the rules of law and allowing the party to be what it’s supposed to be.
“When his senior brother died, I went with ex-Governor Ortom, Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and the former governor of Abia and Senator Ohuabunwa to pay him a condolence visit. I told him, ‘Seyi, the way you are going, you will destroy the party.
“The way you are going, it will not help us.’ You’re my friend and my brother. Calm down. Take it easy. Look at the crisis now. What do you want me to do? I have never, and cannot, betray anybody.
“Nobody can tell me that. He has also not told me he was running for President, though.”
Speaking further, Wike stated that his recent disagreement with Makinde was not a result of political rivalry, but rather a matter of upholding party discipline within the PDP.
Wike emphasised that leadership aspirations should not be taken lightly, warning against desperation within the PDP.
He said, “What’s that? We are talking about a breath of fresh air, you are talking about crap. What do you mean by not being happy for him to be a presidential candidate? Let us not trivialise this.
“No, please, don’t get me wrong. It’s not about being a PhD holder, an engineer or a lawyer. No, that’s not it. It is not about waking up in the morning and saying I want to be a presidential candidate. No.
“Some people just want to run and at the end of the day become the leader of the party. Assuming you really want to be a presidential candidate, will you allow your party to have this kind of crisis?
“Which of them has contributed to the PDP more than me, even up till now?”