Wike Denies Promising to ‘Hold PDP’ for Tinubu, Slams Makinde

Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu he would “hold” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for him, describing the allegation as a blatant lie.

Wike, speaking during a media interaction, said no such meeting or agreement ever took place between him, Makinde, and President Tinubu.

“There was no such meeting. What was the purpose of that meeting that would have led me to say, ‘Mr President, I will hold PDP for you?’” Wike said.

He faulted Makinde for allegedly misrepresenting events and questioned why the Oyo governor had not earlier raised concerns within the PDP if he truly believed Wike was acting against the party.

“Why did Seyi Makinde not come up all this while to tell the party, ‘see what Wike is doing’? I was in a meeting and see what Wike said. It’s not correct,” he stated.
Wike also suggested that Makinde’s grievance stemmed from his exclusion from President Tinubu’s ministerial list. “Seyi Makinde’s problem was that he was not given a ministerial slot,” he said.

Responding directly to Makinde’s claim that they both held meetings with Tinubu where such assurances were allegedly given, Wike said the assertion was completely false.

“That is a blatant lie. Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike. That is the first time I have heard him calling me Wike. It’s unfortunate,” he said, adding that Makinde lacked the courage to openly declare his presidential ambition.

The FCT minister also criticised serving governors, accusing them of being overwhelmed by the financial resources at their disposal.

“Money can make you not see well. The kind of money governors have now, we never saw it. This is why most of them make mistakes; they think everything is about money,” Wike said.

According to him, money has limits. “Money has its own limitations; there are areas money can’t reach, but goodwill can,” he added.

Reaffirming his open support for President Tinubu, Wike dismissed suggestions that his backing of the president was done secretly.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I’m the number one supporter of Tinubu. What is corner corner?” he asked.

Wike also reacted to a new song associated with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, interpreting it within the context of ongoing political tensions in the state.