The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Monday as the party's national leadership openly described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a habitual troublemaker, following his scathing attacks on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The exchanges followed Wike's end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt, where he dismissed Makinde's allegation that he vowed to "hold down" the PDP for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. "That's a blatant lie," Wike said, questioning why Makinde allegedly kept silent about the claim until their relationship soured.
Makinde had said the comment was made during a 2024 meeting at the Presidential Villa, stressing that while Wike was free to support any candidate, his own concern was the survival of democracy and the PDP. Wike, however, insisted the account was false and mischievous, noting that several PDP leaders, including former governors, were present at the meeting.
Wike also revisited Makinde’s political trajectory, rejecting claims that financial success translated into early political influence. He said Makinde only achieved electoral victory after the PDP leadership handed him the party structure in Oyo State. “He chose to be a contractor; I chose to have power. And I had the power,” Wike said.
Beyond personal attacks, Wike accused Makinde of fueling the PDP’s leadership crisis through unchecked presidential ambition, alleging that internal litigations and disputes weakened the party. “There is nothing wrong with ambition, but ambition must follow the rules,” he said, adding that the crisis cost the PDP candidates in off-cycle elections.
In a swift response, the PDP National Working Committee, through its spokesman Ini Ememobong, described Wike as a “recurrent troublemaker” and “agent provocateur,” accusing him of consistently instigating leadership crises since his time as Rivers governor. The party said Wike’s actions amounted to anti-party activity, especially his open support for the APC while claiming PDP membership.
The Conference of Professionals in the PDP echoed the criticism, alleging that Wike was working to cripple the opposition ahead of 2027. The group said his attacks on Makinde and others stemmed from their refusal to back President Tinubu’s administration.
Wike also took aim at Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his defection to the APC, arguing that it neither guaranteed political dominance nor an automatic ticket. “Shouting ‘On your mandate we stand’ does not imply automatic ticket,” he said, dismissing claims that Fubara had emerged as APC leader in the state.
As tensions escalate, analysts say the war of words between Wike, PDP leaders and governors highlights deepening fragmentation within the opposition, raising fresh doubts about reconciliation as the 2027 elections draw closer.
