Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the root of his ongoing disagreement with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision not to appoint Makinde as a minister.
Wike made the remarks on Monday while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, responding to allegations earlier made against him by Makinde during a media interaction last week.
G-5 Intervention With Tinubu
According to Wike, the issue was discussed within the G-5 group of PDP governors, which included himself and former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).
He claimed the group collectively met with President Tinubu to address Makinde’s concerns.
“When we agreed on this, Seyi’s problem was that he was not given a ministerial slot. Even when he was talking, you could see the anger in him. We told him to calm down,” Wike said.
He added that President Tinubu acknowledged the issue during the meeting, noting that there were factors he may not have initially considered.
Disagreement Over Public Statements
Wike also recounted a past disagreement involving public comments about support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He said when Samuel Ortom publicly spoke about supporting Tinubu for a second term, Makinde reacted through the media instead of resolving the matter internally.
“I told him that even if Ortom said that, he shouldn’t have replied in the newspapers. He should have called for a meeting so we could discuss it. By doing that, you are showing division among us,” Wike stated.
Comment on Makinde’s Wealth Remark
The FCT minister further took a swipe at Makinde’s past claim of earning $1 million as a young man, suggesting it continues to influence his reactions to political issues.
“Sometimes, having made that $1 million so early still affects him. He reacts unnecessarily. He forgets that Dangote was not the first person to make $1 million, but he is the richest man in Africa today,” Wike said.
Political Context
The exchange highlights growing tensions among key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly among former allies involved in the G-5 bloc that played a significant role during the 2023 elections.
As of the time of filing this report, Governor Makinde has not issued a fresh response to Wike’s latest remarks.
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