Tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a sharper turn on Monday night as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, openly criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of stepping into a political battle beyond his strength.
Wike made the remarks during the party’s 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where he took a direct swipe at Makinde, drawing a sharp distinction between business dealings and political strategy.
“It is unfortunate; a fight you cannot fight, you started,” Wike said pointedly, adding, “Politics and Shell contracts are not the same thing.”
Despite the heated exchange, the NEC meeting ended on a reconciliatory note, with party leaders adopting a “no victor, no vanquished” approach as part of efforts to heal internal divisions ahead of the PDP’s March 29–30 national convention.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the National Caretaker Working Committee, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the party confirmed its readiness to proceed into the convention as a united front.
The NEC also ratified reports from recently concluded ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses, describing them as credible and transparent exercises that reaffirm the party’s organisational strength.
Earlier, Abdulrahman Mohammed commended party stakeholders for navigating recent legal and political challenges, singling out Wike for his “doggedness and uncommon sacrifices” in sustaining party structures.
“We have made significant progress in restoring confidence. Through collective resolve and maturity, the PDP remains one indivisible family,” he said.
A key outcome of the meeting was the formal adoption of the party’s zoning formula for national elective positions—an arrangement leaders say reflects fairness and national balance.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, urged members to embrace the zoning structure in the overall interest of the party, noting that while no formula is perfect, unity must take precedence.
He also highlighted the ongoing electronic membership registration as a critical step toward modernising the party and strengthening its foundation.
The convention, themed “A Convention of Inclusiveness, Unity and Renewal,” is expected to shape the PDP’s direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, echoed calls for discipline and unity, positioning the PDP as a credible alternative for Nigerians.
However, Wike’s comments underscored lingering tensions within the party. He warned against opportunistic politicians who only show loyalty when seeking party tickets, insisting that commitment must go beyond personal ambition.
Taking another jab at Makinde, Wike argued that the governor could not accuse him of influencing the judiciary, noting that Makinde himself had benefited from court rulings.
He also issued a stern warning to party members, stressing that those who fail to demonstrate full commitment to the upcoming convention should not expect easy reintegration afterward.
“After this NEC meeting, anybody that doesn’t show commitment to the convention should not come back and claim loyalty. I will not accept that,” he declared.
Drawing from his political journey, Wike urged party members and aspirants not to be intimidated by power structures or financial influence, emphasizing that grassroots support remains the ultimate determinant of political success.
“Money is not everything. Remove fear—once you are afraid, you have already failed. Believe in your capacity, and you can succeed,” he said.
As the PDP prepares for its crucial convention, Wike’s remarks highlight both the party’s push for unity and the deep-seated rivalries that continue to shape its internal dynamics.
