Nyesom Wike has dismissed claims that he assured President Bola Tinubu he would hold down the Peoples Democratic Party before the 2027 presidential election. He described the allegation as false and said it was wrongly linked to a post-election meeting with the president.
The denial followed comments by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who alleged that Wike made such a promise to Tinubu during a private meeting in 2023. The claim has added to existing tensions within the PDP.
Wike said there was no meeting where he pledged to undermine the party. He explained that the visit to the president took place after the elections and involved several PDP leaders, including former governors Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as Makinde himself. According to him, the visit was to discuss general issues after the polls, not to strike any political deal.
The former Rivers State governor questioned why Makinde did not raise the allegation earlier if it were true. He also accused the Oyo governor of acting out of frustration and suggested that Makinde should openly pursue his political ambitions rather than make accusations.
Wike maintained that he has never promised to work against the PDP for anyone. He insisted that the claim was unfair and misleading, adding that politics has rules and should be handled with discipline and honesty.
The controversy began after Makinde said Wike had offered to help Tinubu weaken the opposition party ahead of future elections. Makinde also stated that he regretted supporting Tinubu in 2023 and would not back him again in 2027.
Wike’s response was aimed at clearing his name and restating that no such pledge was made to the president at any time.