PDP Crisis: Why I’m Fighting Wike—Gov. Makinde

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has opened up on his faceoff with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Makinde suggested that the former Rivers State governor is pushing for a one-party state which according to him, does not align with the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Asked what would be his message to members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, concerning the crisis rocking the party and Tuesday’s clashes at the Abuja national secretariat, Makinde said, “A message of hope, real hope that I want to give to our members all across the nation and Nigerians.”

The governor said the ongoing fight is not about PDP but about the future of democracy in Nigeria, adding, “We should know that this is a case of it gets worse before it gets better.

“And if we have to stay here for the next two weeks so that democracy will survive in Nigeria, you will see us here.”

Asked what pitted him and the FCT minister on different divides, as they were best of friends prior to the 2023 general election and members of the G5, the Oyo governor said, “Well, small minds talk about people. Average mind talks about events. We will rather talk about issues. What’s the issue?

“The issue is we don’t believe in a one party Nigeria. We believe that our Founding Fathers, they gave us a multi party democracy.

“We must sustain it so that Nigerians can have options when they are choosing their leaders. That is the issue. I don’t want to talk about individuals, and I don’t want to talk about events.”