The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential ambition of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is “dead on arrival.”
Wike made the remark on Thursday while addressing journalists during an inspection of road projects in Abuja, just hours after Makinde reportedly declared his presidential ambition in Ibadan.
Speaking at a joint mega-rally of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement, Makinde had lamented the worsening condition of the country, saying many Nigerians were now struggling daily for survival.
According to the governor, officials entrusted with the welfare of citizens had failed in their responsibilities, worsening hardship across the nation.
Reacting to the development, Wike dismissed claims of a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement, describing the arrangement as fraudulent.
“That’s the 419 we are talking about. INEC also knows that there is no such thing as a PDP-APM alliance,” Wike said.
The minister accused some opposition figures of misleading Nigerians with claims that a formal agreement or memorandum of understanding existed between the two political parties.
He maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission had no record of any alliance involving the PDP and APM, stressing that the PDP remained independent in its electoral preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The screening of aspirants by the Abdulrahman Mohammed PDP faction clearly indicates that the party is independent and not in any alliance,” he stated.
Wike further alleged that Makinde’s political strategy was aimed at advancing his presidential ambition through the APM platform.
“What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to be able to actualise his presidential ambition, which is already dead on arrival,” he said.
The FCT minister insisted that the PDP would field its own presidential candidate in 2027 and urged Nigerians to disregard reports suggesting any merger or coalition arrangement.
He also referenced Bala Mohammed, noting that no discussion regarding a PDP-APM alliance had emerged during consultations within the party.
“It’s unfortunate. We know that has been his game plan, and we would say he cannot fly the flag of PDP,” Wike added.
When questioned about comments relating to internal affairs within the ruling All Progressives Congress, Wike declined to comment, insisting that such matters remained internal party issues.
Earlier during the inspection tour, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 13-kilometre Gomani-Yangoji road project, saying the project was on course for inauguration as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu in office in June.
He said the project reflects the administration’s broader policy of extending infrastructure development to satellite communities in order to reduce rural-urban migration.
“Remember that when we came on board, one of the directives of Mr President was that we should not concentrate development and provision of infrastructure only in the cities. We must open up all the satellite towns in order to discourage rural-urban migration,” Wike stated.
