"A Fight He Cannot Win": Nyesom Wike Derides Governor Seyi Makinde as PDP Leadership Crisis Escalates in Abuja

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike tackles Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde at the Abuja NEC meeting. The PDP crisis deepens after the court nullified the Ibadan convention.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 5:36 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Legit.ng

Escalation of the Wike-Makinde Rivalry

The internal struggle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reached a new boiling point on Monday, March 23, 2026, as Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), launched a blistering critique of Governor Seyi Makinde. Speaking at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction in Abuja, Wike characterized Makinde’s opposition as "unfortunate" and claimed the Oyo State Governor had initiated a political battle he lacked the capacity to finish. This confrontation signals a total collapse of the "G5" camaraderie that once defined their relationship during the 2023 election cycle.

The Proxy War: Allegations of APC Endorsement

The current exchange was triggered by comments made by Governor Makinde on Sunday, March 22. Makinde had asserted that any PDP member aligning with the Wike-backed faction was effectively endorsing a second term for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike countered these claims in Abuja, alleging that Makinde is escalating tensions to mask a lack of genuine political leverage. The Minister’s supporters have defended his stance, citing his "capacity" and "foresight," while critics argue that the Minister's dual role in the APC-led cabinet and a PDP faction creates a fundamental conflict of interest that threatens the opposition’s survival.

Judicial Fallout: The Nullification of the Ibadan Convention

Central to the current hostilities is the recent Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. That convention had produced the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, which enjoyed the full backing of Governor Makinde. With the court setting aside those proceedings, the Wike-backed Mohammed faction has moved to consolidate its authority, declaring the Ibadan exercise a legal nullity. This judicial victory has emboldened Wike's camp to proceed with their own national convention, further alienating the Makinde-led group.