Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has openly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments concerning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.
Reacting to Wike’s declaration of interest in the affairs of the Oyo PDP, Makinde described the claim as misplaced and unconvincing, arguing that Wike failed to consolidate the party in his home state while in power.
In a video currently circulating online, Makinde questioned Wike’s credibility within the PDP, stating that anyone claiming influence over the Oyo chapter should first account for their contributions to the party elsewhere.
“Someone said he wants to take interest in Oyo PDP. We should ask him what he did with the PDP in Rivers State,” the governor said.
Makinde further alleged that certain individuals who rose to prominence within the party around 2015 were expelled a decade later, insisting they no longer had standing within the PDP.
“Some individuals surfaced fully in 2015 and were expelled in 2025. Ask him what he has done with the PDP in Rivers State to now want to interfere in Oyo PDP,” he added.
The comments come amid increasing internal tensions within the opposition party, following Wike’s public statements at the 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP held in Abuja on Monday night.
At the meeting, Wike declared his commitment to the survival of the PDP nationwide and specifically stated his interest in developments within the Oyo State chapter. He also pledged to protect the party from what he described as internal saboteurs.
“I am interested in the survival and success of this party. I am also interested in everything happening in Oyo State PDP,” Wike stated.
Recall that in November 2025, the PDP announced the expulsion of Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, and the party’s former National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, during its national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The decision followed a motion moved by former PDP National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George, and seconded by Samaila Buga, Chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State. The motion was adopted by delegates amid heightened emotions at the convention.
The exchange between Makinde and Wike underscores the deepening divisions within the PDP as the party grapples with internal power struggles and questions over leadership and loyalty ahead of future political contests.
