Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has asserted his readiness to lead Nigeria, stating he is “qualified I’m even overqualified” for the presidency, as he distances himself from moves by senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, particularly Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, to align with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a media parley in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, Makinde addressed growing speculation about his presidential ambition, the deepening crisis within the PDP, and the widening political rift between him and Wike. The governor, serving his second and final term, anchored his claim on his governance experience and private sector background.
Makinde highlighted his achievements, noting, “I ran Oyo State, even the current president what brought him to the table? He was governor of Lagos State for two terms. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace and God sparing my life, I will have completed the full tenure as a two-term governor of Oyo State.” He emphasized his professional prowess as an engineer, building a business from a young age without government patronage.
“I ran a company from a very young age. At 29, some of my colleagues were still finishing their youth service. I worked with multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron,” Makinde said, contrasting his career trajectory with Wike’s, remarking, “Wike had just left law school when I made $1m”.
Despite expressing confidence in his qualifications, Makinde stated it was premature to declare interest in the 2027 presidential race. His immediate concern, he said, is the survival of the PDP, weakened by mass defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “Nigerians want a viable democracy with strong opposition parties,” he stressed, criticizing the depletion of PDP ranks.
Makinde drew a clear line between his political choices and Wike’s, a former ally in the G5 bloc of PDP governors who supported Tinubu in 2023. Recounting a pivotal meeting, Makinde said, “I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock.” Makinde acknowledged Wike’s right to support Tinubu but affirmed he would not follow suit. “Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not.”
He urged Wike to allow others in the party to make their own decisions. “Allow us to make our choice,” Makinde said, prioritizing PDP’s survival. The rift stems from their G5 days, alongside former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, who broke ranks with PDP over zoning and leadership disputes.
Relations between Makinde and Wike deteriorated after the PDP convention in Oyo State, where Wike and others were suspended by a Makinde-aligned faction. Wike insists he remains a PDP member and intends to back Tinubu in 2027.
Makinde called for urgent resolution of PDP’s internal disputes to prevent further erosion of its influence. “At this point, what matters to me is the survival of the PDP,” he said, underscoring the need for the party to rebuild and remain a relevant opposition force.
The governor’s stance signals a major split in the PDP, with Makinde advocating for party autonomy and multiparty democracy, while Wike leans toward aligning with the APC.
