Wike Mocks Makinde as Chairman of One-man Governor’s Forum, Says He Doesn’t Belong to APC but Has Adequate Influence
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for allegedly referring to himself as the chairman of a “one-man governors’ forum,” while insisting that he does not belong to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but still wields significant political influence.
Wike spoke on Wednesday during a media chat where he also issued a stern warning to factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cautioning against the creation of parallel party structures in Abuja.
He specifically warned camps linked to Makinde, as well as figures such as Kabiru Turaki and Wabara, against establishing another PDP national headquarters or operating bank accounts in the party’s name.
Describing such moves as illegal and potentially fraudulent, Wike said there would be serious consequences for individuals or groups who proceed with them.
“I dare Turaki, Makinde and their camp to set up an office and call it PDP headquarters,” he said. “Who do you want to sell forms to? That is fraud.”
The FCT minister maintained that the PDP crisis remains subject to ongoing legal processes, noting that an appeal is expected to be heard in the coming week. He argued that any attempt to constitute a caretaker committee while court orders are still subsisting would be unlawful.
“How can you set up a caretaker committee when there is still a subsisting court order yet to be set aside?” he queried.
Wike further warned that financial transactions carried out under any disputed leadership structure including opening bank accounts could attract legal sanctions, not only for those involved but also for financial institutions that facilitate such actions.
“The bank involved will be in trouble, and the individuals operating such accounts will also face legal consequences,” he said.
He also threatened to seal off any building being used as a PDP secretariat within the FCT without proper legal backing, citing security concerns.
“It will cause a breach of peace in the FCT, and that is why I will not hesitate to seal it,” he added.
While addressing journalists, Wike urged the media to rely on verified facts and documentation in reporting the crisis. However, he declined to comment extensively on the recent ruling by the Supreme Court, stating that he had yet to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.
“I will not speak further on the judgment because I have not seen the certified true copy,” he said.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal leadership disputes, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s structure and authority.