The political fault lines within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) widened again after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, publicly dismissed as a “blatant lie” a claim attributed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, that Wike promised to “hold the PDP” for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. The denial has since triggered a storm of reactions online, with Nigerians questioning not only political loyalty but also the credibility of leadership and journalism.
Wike’s sharp rebuttal followed reports of Makinde’s alleged comment suggesting a secret political understanding between the former Rivers State governor and President Tinubu. Responding angrily, Wike rejected the narrative in its entirety, insisting that the claim was fabricated and politically motivated, and warning against what he described as deliberate attempts to misrepresent his political position.
Almost immediately, social media became the main battleground, with users dissecting both the substance and the style of Wike’s response. For many, the issue went beyond Makinde versus Wike and opened a broader debate about trust, betrayal, and the real power brokers within Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Christopher #GirlDad (@Cwris01) shifted the focus to the media, suggesting that the problem lies not only with politicians but also with journalism itself. “Anyways I don’t blame @GovWike. Journalism currently is rented to highest bidder,” he wrote, echoing a growing public suspicion that political narratives are often shaped by money rather than truth.
Confusion also surrounded the circumstances of Wike’s comments. Eghosa Ogieriakhi (@EghosaOgie7) asked bluntly, “@grok what happened here?” a question that reflected how many Nigerians struggled to separate verified statements from political spin and social media exaggeration.
Some reactions focused less on content and more on presentation. Alexis (@lexzek) complained about the audio quality during the media chat, saying, “How were you people even hearing what he was saying? I increased the volume of both TV and sound system to the highest, still was not hearing him.” The comment, though technical, subtly mocked the communication gaps that often characterize official briefings.
Others took a more fatalistic view of politics. Oluwa Balance (@BalanceOlu64239) responded with resigned brevity: “It is what you can do,” suggesting that power, rather than principle, ultimately determines political outcomes in Nigeria.
Sympathy, however, was scarce. Patrickchidi (@Patrickchidi14) expressed pity not for politicians but for journalists, writing, “The journalists are men! They have good temperament to listen to all the rubbish always. Very wicked leaders.” His comment portrayed the press as unwilling witnesses to repeated political falsehoods.
Anger dominated several responses. Benghazi (@Jaycn330) did not mince words, telling Wike directly, “You’re really a fool ngl. Isn’t that what you’re doing exactly?” The tweet accused the minister of hypocrisy, implying that his denial contradicts his political actions.
Others were openly hostile. Mencho (@RealMencho) mocked Wike’s outrage, tweeting, “Cry cry baby keep crying. Tinubu and APC mafias will teach you politics.” The remark framed Wike’s denial as weakness rather than principle.
Doubts about Wike’s sincerity also came from Evaristus (@gadpitas), who asked pointedly, “Are you not holding PDP for him now?” The question captured a widely shared suspicion that political alignments are often clearer in action than in speech.
Media credibility again came under attack when Ben Osayi Ekekhor (@BenEkekhor) alleged corruption during the interaction. “The media chat is a good opportunity for the journalists to collect their egunje from Wike. They know Nigerian politicians are all liars,” he claimed, reinforcing public cynicism about both politicians and reporters.
Institutional regret featured in some reactions. The Town Crier (@TheTownCrierNG) delivered one of the harshest verdicts, stating, “The people who made this guy Governor of Rivers State should apologize to the people of Rivers State.” The comment questioned Wike’s political legacy and leadership record.
Collectively, the reactions reveal deep public frustration with elite political gamesmanship. Many Nigerians no longer see ideological differences between parties but rather a rotating cast of power brokers pursuing relevance and influence across political lines.
The Makinde–Wike exchange has also revived memories of unresolved tensions from the 2023 elections, when internal party divisions weakened the PDP and fueled accusations of betrayal among its leaders. For critics, the current controversy is simply a continuation of that unresolved conflict.
While Wike insists the allegation is a lie, and Makinde has yet to make a detailed public clarification, the public has already formed opinions shaped less by official statements and more by long-standing distrust of political actors.
What stands out is that social media, not party organs or formal press briefings, has become the primary arena for political accountability. Here, politicians are not only challenged but openly insulted, mocked, and interrogated by citizens.
In the end, Wike’s “blatant lie” rebuttal may have closed one chapter, but it has opened a wider conversation about loyalty, media ethics, and the collapse of public trust. As Nigerians continue to tweet, question, and argue, one thing is clear: in today’s Nigeria, political battles are no longer fought quietly behind closed doors they play out loudly, messily, and relentlessly in the court of public opinion.
