The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday dismissed the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, saying the plan would not succeed ahead of the 2027 general election. He spoke in Abuja during an inspection of ongoing road projects, just hours after Makinde formally declared his intention to run for president.
Wike also rejected claims of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement. According to him, there is no official agreement between both parties, despite recent political activities involving Makinde and members of the APM in Ibadan.
The minister said the Independent National Electoral Commission had no record of any coalition involving the PDP and APM. He added that the PDP remained independent in its preparations for the next election and was already carrying out activities such as the screening of aspirants within the party structure.
Wike accused some opposition figures of trying to mislead Nigerians with reports of a merger or alliance arrangement. He maintained that what was happening was simply Makinde’s personal political move aimed at pursuing his presidential ambition through another platform.
According to the minister, the PDP would still produce and submit its own presidential candidate for the 2027 election. He said Nigerians should ignore speculations suggesting that the party had entered into any form of coalition with another political group.
Wike also referred to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, saying no discussion about a PDP-APM alliance had been raised during party meetings and consultations.
While reacting to questions concerning issues within the All Progressives Congress, the FCT minister declined to comment further, insisting that internal matters of other political parties were not his concern.
Earlier during the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 13-kilometre Gomani-Yangoji road project in the Federal Capital Territory. He said the road was expected to be inaugurated during activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office in June.
The minister explained that the project was part of the administration’s plan to expand infrastructure development beyond the city centre and improve roads in satellite communities across Abuja.
According to him, the policy was introduced to reduce rural-urban migration and improve living conditions in developing areas of the FCT.