Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Mr. Nyesom Wike are engaged in a struggle for the People’s Democratic Party‘s soul.
The two political gladiators used to be good friends and played a key role in the victory of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, following their resolve to work against the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The duo, alongside Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Samuel Ortom — then governors of Abia, Enugu and Benue states respectively- formed the G-5 bloc and insisted on a southern presidential ticket; but Atiku, who comes from the North, claimed the PDP ticket at the national convention.
Things have since fallen apart, with the Oyo State Governor, backed by his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, and the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, no longer enjoying a cordial political relationship with Wike.
On his part, Wike is enjoying the support of Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
The rift between Makinde and Wike reached its peak when, at a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the PDP governors rejected the planned reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu by the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation Committee; a move seen by Wike as a betrayal by the Oyo State Governor.
Makinde is working in sync with the party’s national leadership, which has fixed June 30 for the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting and August 2025 for its convention.
