2027 polls: Makinde’s aide speaks on alleged rift between Oyo governor and Wike

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has dismissed speculations of a rift between his principal and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Amid the ongoing internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has led to deep divisions, Makinde and Wike have long been political allies.

However, recent developments have sparked rumours of a potential fallout between the two ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde and Wike were part of the influential G-5 governors who opposed PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Currently, the party remains divided over whether Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum should remain in office. While Wike supports Damagum’s stay, Makinde and three other governors share the same stance.

The alleged crack between Makinde and Wike surfaced after the PDP governors’ meeting in Asaba, Delta State, where Makinde aligned with the Bala Mohammed-led faction to reject Wike’s preferred candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, as PDP National Secretary.

Instead, the governors unanimously backed Sunday Ude-Okoye, a move widely seen as a setback for Wike.

Reports suggested that PDP governors were growing weary of Wike’s dominance in party affairs, prompting them to unite in opposition to his candidate.

However, addressing the alleged fallout, Olanrewaju dismissed the claims, saying, “I have no idea what you are talking about. I am not aware of any crack between Governor Seyi Makinde and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“The governor is mourning now, so I don’t know where you got the information of a crack between them from. I am not aware of any crack whatsoever.”