Wike Denies Pledging to Weaken PDP for Tinubu’s 2027 Bid

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike rejected claims that he promised President Bola Tinubu he would “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He called the allegation a blatant lie during a media address on Monday, December 29, 2025. Wike attributed the claim to frustration on the part of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who first raised it last week.

Wike detailed a post-2023 election meeting attended by himself, Makinde, former governors Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, along with Tinubu and his Chief of Staff. He insisted the gathering was a courtesy visit to discuss prior matters, not a platform for political pledges. No one booked a formal meeting to negotiate such commitments, he added.

The minister questioned why Makinde waited so long to publicise the supposed statement if it occurred. He described the accusation as totally unfair and suggested Makinde lacked courage to declare his own presidential ambitions openly. Wike noted that politics differs from business contracting and requires adherence to established rules.

Makinde had claimed during a media chat on December 23, 2025, that Wike volunteered the pledge without prompting from Tinubu, shocking those present. The governor said the incident marked the start of their fallout and vowed not to support Tinubu in 2027 to preserve multiparty democracy and the PDP’s survival.

Once allies in the G-5 group that backed Tinubu against PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar in 2023, the two leaders now highlight deepening divisions within the opposition party over future alignments and strategies.

As 2027 approaches, these public exchanges underscore personal and ideological rifts that could shape the PDP’s cohesion and opposition role.