The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday night criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, cautioning against engaging in political battles without the capacity to sustain them.
Wike made the remarks during the 107th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held on Monday.
Recall, Makinde said politicians aligning with a faction of the PDP backed by Wike were supporting the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Makinde spoke on Sunday during a closed-door meeting with Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, and Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa West, at the Bauchi government house.
He said, “I came into the public domain to say that I was in a meeting with Wike and Mr President, and he promised to hold the PDP for Mr President towards 2027,” Makinde said.
Responding at the NEC meeting, the FCT minister dismissed claims made by Makinde about the meeting, describing the assertions as misleading.
“He (Makinde) said he had a meeting with the president and me. That is very unfortunate. It is unfortunate that a fight you cannot fight, you started. Politics is not contract work,” he said.
Wike used the moment to draw a distinction between politics and private business interests, stressing that the two should not be confused.
In a further remark seen as a direct jab, he added, “You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor.”
The minister also warned party members against engaging in unnecessary confrontations, noting that political success depends more on strategy than bold rhetoric.
Looking ahead to the party’s March 29–30 national convention, Wike urged members to demonstrate loyalty and commitment or risk being sidelined.
“After this NEC meeting, anybody who doesn’t show commitment to the convention should not come back afterwards and say they are fully back. I will not accept that,” he said.
He concluded by calling for unity within the party, urging leaders to intensify reconciliation efforts while maintaining sincerity among members.
