Wike Boasts That Makinde Only Won Oyo Governorship After Receiving PDP Structure

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State only achieved electoral success after receiving critical political backing and structure from influential figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Ireporter Online, Wike made the assertion on Monday while addressing journalists during his end-of-year media interaction, where he recounted events leading up to the 2019 governorship election in Oyo State. He alleged that Makinde had previously contested several elections without success due to the absence of a strong political structure.

Wike stated that Makinde was eventually introduced to him ahead of the 2019 polls, at a time when party leaders agreed to extend the PDP’s organisational framework in Oyo State to support his ambition. He maintained that it was only after this decision that Makinde emerged victorious in the governorship race.

The former Rivers State governor further argued that financial strength alone was not sufficient to secure electoral victory, insisting that Makinde’s personal wealth did not translate into political success without grassroots influence and party machinery.

Recalling past political contests, Wike said Makinde contested the 2007 senatorial election under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and lost, before moving to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to contest the governorship election, which also ended in defeat. He added that despite Makinde’s financial claims, he had struggled to gain political traction until the PDP structure was made available to him.

Wike explained that while Makinde had significant financial resources, he himself focused on consolidating political influence and authority, which he described as more decisive in Nigerian politics. He emphasized that political power, rather than money, ultimately determines electoral outcomes.

The remarks were made in response to an earlier statement credited to Governor Makinde, in which he suggested that he had amassed considerable wealth at a time when Wike was serving as a local government chairman. Wike dismissed the comparison, asserting that Makinde, regardless of his wealth, was still subject to the authority and regulations enforced by him during that period.