Wike jabs Makinde, warns PDP members against ‘unwinnable fights’

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday took a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, cautioning against engaging in political battles without the capacity to win.

Speaking during the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike described as “unfortunate” remarks allegedly made by Makinde concerning meetings involving him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It’s unfortunate a fight you cannot fight, you started,” Wike said, dismissing the claims as misleading.

The former Rivers State governor also warned against reducing politics to a business venture, stressing that power—not financial gain—should be the driving force.

“Politics is not contract work. You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor,” he said. “Politics is not a contract of Shell. I didn’t go into politics to be a contractor. I went into politics to have power.”

Wike urged party members to approach political engagements with strategy rather than bravado, warning against unnecessary confrontations that could weaken the party.

He also issued a strong warning ahead of the PDP’s March 29–30 national convention, insisting that only committed members would be recognised.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody that doesn’t show commitment to the convention should not come back and claim loyalty. I will not accept that,” he said.

While calling for unity within the party, Wike stressed the need for sincere reconciliation efforts among members to strengthen the PDP ahead of future political contests.