I never promised to ‘hold down PDP’ for Tinubu — Wike

Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday denied claims by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde that he promised to hand the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde, speaking in Ibadan, said the alleged remark was made during a post-2023 election meeting with Tinubu and other officials.

He said he was “in shock” and had raised the matter with a mutual friend, asserting he would never support such a move.

Engr. Seyi Makinde

Wike, however, dismissed the allegation as “completely out of place” and attributed it to frustration on Makinde’s part.

He said no such promise was made during the meeting with Tinubu and former governors, and called the claim “very unfair.”

Wike added that Makinde, who has previously expressed presidential ambitions, had yet to publicly declare any intention to contest the presidency.

He stressed that political ambitions should follow proper processes and warned against spreading unfounded claims.