Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the governor’s 2027 presidential declaration and the supposed PDP-APM alliance as “political 419” (fraud).
Speaking on Thursday, May 14, 2026, while inspecting road projects in Abuja, Wike dismissed Makinde’s ambitions as “dead on arrival,” accusing his former G5 ally of misleading the public to serve personal interests.
Key Points of Wike’s Rebuttal
- “Political 419”: Wike characterized the claim of a merger between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) as a fabrication. He asserted that no such alliance exists in the records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- “Dead on Arrival”: The Minister stated bluntly that Makinde is merely “exploiting” the APM platform because he knows he cannot secure the PDP ticket. He predicted that the governor’s presidential bid would fail to gain national traction.
- Party Independence: Wike argued that the PDP is currently conducting its own internal processes, including the screening of aspirants by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, which proves the party is not in a coalition.
- The Fubara Factor: Wike also touched on the political situation in Rivers State, noting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s status within the APC remains an “internal party matter” and does not validate Makinde’s claims of a broader opposition realignment.
The Context of the Rift
This public fallout marks the complete collapse of the once-celebrated G5 Governors alliance. While Makinde has moved to lead a “Grand Alliance” of opposition forces under the “Reset Nigeria” banner, Wike remains firmly aligned with the Tinubu administration, positioning himself as the “landlord of Abuja” and a primary defender of the current political order.
