The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred fresh political debate after recounting his version of events surrounding Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s political journey and rise within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking bluntly, Wike contrasted political influence with financial strength, insisting that power—not money—remains the ultimate currency in Nigerian politics.
Wike disclosed that at the time Makinde reportedly made his first $1 million, he (Wike) was already the chairman of one of the most influential local government areas in the country. According to the former Rivers State governor, he deliberately chose political power over becoming a contractor, stressing that authority and control of political structures mattered more than wealth. “I didn’t choose to be a contractor. I chose to have power, and I have the power,” Wike declared.
Tracing Makinde’s political history, Wike recalled that the Oyo governor first contested for the Senate in 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost. He added that in 2013, influential figures allegedly approached him to hand over the Oyo State PDP structure to Makinde, a request he said he flatly rejected. Instead, Wike claimed he supported Senator Teslim Folarin, whom he believed was better positioned at the time.
Following that setback, Wike stated that Makinde defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to contest the governorship election but failed again, despite his financial resources. He described the episode as proof that money alone could not guarantee political success or grassroots acceptance.
According to Wike, the turning point came in 2019 when political stakeholders eventually agreed to hand over the PDP structure to Makinde. By then, Wike said, he was already deeply rooted in politics without the backing of vast personal wealth. He emphasized that while Makinde reportedly had significant financial resources, he was still moving around in search of political structures to actualize his ambition.
The FCT minister’s remarks have since generated reactions within political circles, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of his claims. While some see the comments as a reminder of the importance of grassroots politics, others view them as part of the ongoing power tussle and rivalry among leading figures within the PDP.
Wike’s comments underscore the long-standing debate in Nigerian politics over the influence of money versus political structure, loyalty, and grassroots control—an argument that continues to shape alliances, elections, and leadership battles across the country.