The political landscape in Nigeria is currently abuzz with a significant rift within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a strong verbal assault on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his successor in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This heated exchange centers on allegations of broken promises and shifting political loyalties, painting a complex picture of the internal dynamics within the PDP and its allies. Wike vehemently denied claims made by Governor Makinde that he had pledged to “hold” the PDP for President Bola Tinubu, a statement that reportedly stunned Makinde during a private meeting. The Minister asserted that his support for President Tinubu has always been transparent and did not require such a clandestine affirmation. He further emphasized his role as FCT Minister, highlighting his responsibility to ensure that members of the influential G-5 group benefit from the current administration in various capacities. This public disagreement underscores the deep divisions and personal animosities that have emerged following recent political realignments. The controversy escalated as Wike also turned his attention to Governor Fubara, questioning the timing and substance of his defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike suggested that Fubara’s move was late and lacked the support of any established political structure, implying that the governor did not bring significant assets to his new party. He pointed out that by the time Fubara officially resigned from the PDP, a substantial number of local government chairmen and members of the state House of Assembly had already switched allegiances to the APC. This strategic commentary from Wike aims to diminish Fubara’s political standing and question the strength of his new political home. The ongoing PDP crisis is a stark reminder of the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the personal rivalries that often drive major political decisions. Featured snippet paragraph: What is the core of the PDP crisis involving Wike, Makinde, and Fubara? The crisis stems from Wike’s denial of promising to “hold” the PDP for President Tinubu, as alleged by Governor Makinde, and Wike’s critique of Governor Fubara’s defection to the APC, questioning its timing and political backing. Wike’s rebuttal to Makinde’s claims was made during an end-of-year media chat in Port Harcourt, where he clarified that the meeting with President Tinubu was not about controlling the PDP but about demonstrating support for the President’s leadership. He suggested that Makinde’s displeasure might stem from Tinubu not approving his nominee for a ministerial appointment, and contrasted this with the support Makinde allegedly received, citing the reported N50 billion grant for the Bodija explosion victims in Ibadan. This accusation by Wike adds another layer of complexity to the inter-state political maneuvering. Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Suleimon Olanrewaju, later clarified that only N30 billion was released for the Bodija incident, with a portion directly disbursed to victims and the remainder allocated for rebuilding efforts. Despite this clarification, Wike maintained that the Oyo governor owes his people an account of how these funds were utilized and stressed the importance of proper appropriation for such expenditures. This exchange highlights the financial and accountability aspects that have become entangled with the political disputes. The critique of Fubara’s political standing continued as Wike asserted that the Rivers State governor had no significant political structure to take with him to the APC. He detailed how many key figures, including local government chairmen and state assembly members, had already departed the PDP before Fubara’s defection. Wike’s statement, “These people decided to move on their own,” suggests that Fubara followed rather than led the movement, undermining his authority. Wike also dismissed the notion that simply chanting support slogans guarantees a re-election, implying that political maneuvering and genuine support are more crucial. He denied any grand fanfare surrounding Fubara’s defection to the APC in Government House, Port Harcourt, stating that true party registration happens at the ward level, a subtle jab at Fubara’s claim to a prominent political position. This highlights Wike’s perspective on leadership and party loyalty. Furthermore, Wike implied that if he were to leave the PDP, his loyalists across different states would follow him, underscoring his perceived influence within the party. This statement serves to bolster his own political capital while simultaneously diminishing the significance of Fubara’s defection. The internal PDP crisis continues to unfold, with significant implications for the party’s future. Responding to Fubara’s earlier comments about supporting Tinubu without “corner corner” dealings, Wike acknowledged that he has faced significant criticism as a minister due to his overt support for President Tinubu. He reiterated his commitment to Tinubu’s administration, noting that his leadership style has ensured that many PDP members in the National Assembly have joined the APC, and expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the FCT. This demonstrates Wike’s unwavering allegiance to the current federal government. Wike admitted that the breakdown of the peace agreement in Rivers State was due to Fubara’s failure to uphold his end of the truce, accusing the governor of being untruthful regarding his working relationship with the state assembly leadership. This direct accusation points to a fundamental breach of trust and agreement between the two political figures. Meanwhile, the PDP in Rivers State, led by its acting chairman Nname Ewor, has strongly refuted Wike’s claims that the party no longer exists in the state. Ewor asserted that the PDP remains active and is led by him, while Governor Fubara leads the APC. He emphasized that any agreements between Wike and Fubara are personal and do not reflect the will of the people of Rivers State, who hold the ultimate power to renew or deny the governor’s mandate. This counter-narrative from the PDP aims to reassert the party’s presence and legitimacy. The PDP acting secretary, Chief Ojima Ochima, cautioned Wike against inciting ethnic or tribal conflict in Rivers State in his pursuit of political dominance. He specifically addressed Wike’s comments about the supremacy of the Ikwerre people, deeming them unfounded and stressing the importance of all tribes in the state. This highlights concerns about Wike’s rhetoric potentially exacerbating existing social tensions for political gain.
