Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, dismissing claims of a PDP-APM alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election and describing the governor’s political move as “fraudulent.”
Wike’s reaction comes barely hours after Makinde announced his intention to contest for the presidency under what he described as a “PDP-APM” platform, while also accusing unnamed political actors of attempting to weaken opposition politics and push Nigeria toward a one-party state.
Responding to the declaration, Wike said there was no official alliance between the People’s Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement, insisting that the claim existed only in Makinde’s imagination.
“The hardest thing is, don’t worry yourself about what you see. People are being fraudulent,” Wike said. “He thought I was joking, and that’s the front line we’re talking about.”
The former Rivers State governor stated that the PDP leadership had already clarified the issue publicly through an official press briefing, stressing that neither the party nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognizes any arrangement known as a PDP-APM alliance.
“Luckily, the PDP had issued a press conference: there is no alliance between PDP and APM or any other political party,” he said.
“As it is, maybe INEC also knows that there is nothing called a PDP-APM alliance. We are busy, people are busy, they are screaming, and so it’s the imagination of Sheyi Makinde.”
Wike further accused Makinde and his allies of misleading Nigerians, claiming recent political developments had exposed what he called deceptive tactics within the opposition camp.
“That is confirmed. What we have told Nigerians after the misinterpretation of his judgement has come clear to every Nigerian,” he stated. “The guys are very, very fraudulent. It’s for Nigerians to know, to see it by themselves.”
The FCT Minister maintained that the PDP remains a distinct political party that would independently field a presidential candidate for the 2027 election, contrary to suggestions of a coalition arrangement.
“PDP has presented a presidential candidate and would present a presidential candidate,” Wike declared. “Watch out for who will be submitted to INEC, and see where they are going to call it ‘PDP-APM’.”
He also referenced Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, suggesting that unlike Makinde, Bala had openly aligned with the APM without attempting to create the impression of a coalition with the PDP.
“So please, please, we said it and we know Bala has gone to APM,” Wike said. “Bala has never said they should call it PDP-APM. He has come out to say he has joined APM.”
According to Wike, what Makinde describes as an alliance may simply involve some of his loyalists within the PDP moving politically alongside him while he pursues his presidential ambition under another platform.
“Maybe those of his supporters who remain in PDP in Ibadan, we may be taking them along. That’s what he is calling a PDP-APM alliance,” he added.
The minister further mocked Makinde’s political standing within the PDP, alleging that the Oyo governor could no longer identify with the party’s structure and symbols.
“He is unfortunate, and we know that has been escaped,” Wike said. “I will say he cannot find a flag of PDP.”
Reiterating his position, the FCT Minister warned Nigerians against believing claims of any coalition between both parties, insisting that Makinde had merely defected politically to pursue what he described as an already doomed presidential ambition.
“So please, please tell Nigerians that there is nothing called a PDP-APM alliance,” Wike concluded.
“What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to actualize his presidential ambition, which is dead on arrival.”
