PDP tensions peaked when Wike criticized Makinde at the NEC meeting

A new rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) surfaced on Monday evening when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing attack on the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and accused him of political confrontation beyond his capacity.

Wike, who was speaking at the party’s 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, openly derided Makinde’s approach to politics, drawing a sharp distinction between governance and business matters. He stated that “politics and Shell contracts are not the same thing.”

The NEC meeting, held amid prolonged internal strife, ended with a resolution by party leaders to proceed to the upcoming national convention as a united front, adopting a “no winner, no loser” approach to healing divisions.

The meeting was also the final preparation session ahead of the party’s election convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, where key leadership positions will be up for grabs.

In a communiqué jointly signed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chairman and Secretary of the National Caretaker Working Committee, the NEC ratified the results of the regional, local government, state and zonal congresses, describing it as a credible and transparent exercise that reaffirmed the internal strength of the party.

Earlier, Abdulrahman Mohammed praised the resilience of party members in facing recent challenges, and praised Wike for his contribution. “We have made significant progress in restoring trust. Through collective determination and maturity, we can now say that the PDP remains one inseparable family,” he said.

An important decision reached at the meeting was the ratification of the party’s zoning arrangements for national offices, a move aimed at maintaining balance and fairness across the region.

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Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, urged members to implement the zoning formula in the interest of unity, stating that no arrangement can fully satisfy all interests but “the good of the party” must come first. He also highlighted the importance of ongoing electronic membership registration, describing it as critical to strengthening the party’s structure.

The NEC further revealed the theme of the upcoming convention as: “Convention on Inclusivity, Unity and Renewal.”

Lawmakers including Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda also called for discipline, stressing that the PDP is repositioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite the conciliatory tone of the meeting, Wike’s statement underscored the deep tensions within the party.

Turning directly to Makinde, the former governor of Rivers State did not mince words. “It’s unfortunate; a fight you can’t fight, you started it. I don’t want to be a contractor; I want to have power. You want money. You have a contract worth over $1.7 million. Stay in there as a contractor. Contracts and politics are not the same thing. You can see the difference now.”

Wike also rejected claims that he exerted undue influence on the justice system, and pointed out that Makinde himself had benefited from a favorable court decision in Ibadan.

He warned his party members against making half-hearted commitments, and insisted that loyalty must be demonstrated before the convention. “After this NEC meeting, anyone who doesn’t show commitment to the convention, don’t come back and tell us that ‘oh, I’m back completely.’ No, I will not accept it,” he said.

The minister further urged party supporters not to be intimidated by high-profile political figures or federal influence, and encouraged them to remain confident in their grassroots appeal.

“Money is not everything in this world; it has limitations. Eliminate fear from your body. When you have fear, you have failed. Believe that you have the capacity to do this and you can do it”, he said.

As the party inches closer to its convention, Wike’s fiery comments once again highlighted the fragile unity within the PDP, even as party leaders insisted they were ready to provide “purposeful leadership and national direction” to Nigerians ahead of the next election cycle.