Makinde Opens Up on Fallout with Tinubu, Wike, Says He Is Willing to Work with FCT Minister Again

Makinde Opens Up on Fallout with Tinubu, Wike, Says He Is Willing to Work with FCT Minister Again

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has opened up on his political disagreements with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insisting that his differences with the two political figures are not entirely the same.

Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 election, made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Ojy Okpe on ARISE News’ Presidential Series.

The governor traced his disagreement with Tinubu to an alleged failure by the President to honour a political agreement reached ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to Makinde, he supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2023 after an agreement was reached to establish a government of national unity involving different political interests.

He alleged that despite the agreement receiving Tinubu’s approval, the arrangement was never implemented after the APC candidate became President.

On his relationship with Wike, Makinde recalled the events surrounding the crisis within the PDP and the activities of the G5 governors, who opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 election.

He confirmed that he led a faction that moved to expel Wike from the PDP, arguing that the decision followed Wike’s alleged declaration that he would hold the party for Tinubu.

Makinde said the political circumstances at the time made it necessary for his group to take steps towards controlling the PDP structure before the election.

However, when asked whether he would consider working with Wike again, the governor responded positively.

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“Of course, there’s nothing personal here,” he said.

He explained that Wike’s situation was different from that of Tinubu, particularly regarding the political decisions that contributed to their disagreements.

When the interviewer pointed out that he appeared willing to reconcile with Wike but less certain about working with Tinubu, Makinde maintained that the President’s alleged failure to honour their agreement remained a major issue.

He nevertheless suggested that reconciliation with Tinubu could be possible if there were adequate safeguards to protect Nigeria’s interests.

“Well, that will really be nice, but there must be safeguards for Nigeria,” he said when asked whether he would work with Tinubu if the President reached out to settle their differences.

Makinde also rejected claims that his presidential ambition was responsible for the collapse of the G5 political arrangement and the wider PDP crisis.

He argued that he had previously declined an opportunity to run as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate because he believed he did not yet have sufficient experience in public service.

The governor further maintained that his current presidential ambition was driven by his desire to change Nigeria’s political and economic direction.

His comments offer fresh insight into the political relationships and disagreements among key figures who played significant roles in the events leading to the 2023 presidential election, as political alignments continue to shape preparations for 2027.