….Makinde pushes for Okoye as PDP National Secretary, Wike, on the other hand, wants Sam Daddy The relationship between Oyo State Governor Engr Seyi Makinde and the former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has crumbled as they clash over the coveted position of National Secretary within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The rift centers around the coveted position of National Secretary, with Makinde pushing for Rt. Udeh Okoye, while the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Wike, adamantly supports the incumbent, Sam Daddy. Sources within the PDP told News Week Nigeria that the dispute has strained the once-close relationship between the two political heavyweights.
Insiders suggest that Makinde’s keen interest in securing control of the party stems from his aspirations for the 2027 presidential election.
A source stated, “Seyi Makinde and Minister Wike have fallen out. Makinde opposes Sam Daddy as the National Secretary; he champions Rt Udeh Okoye for the position, whereas Wike advocates for Sam Daddy to retain the role.”
A source privy to the internal infighting said, “Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Wike have fallen out. Makinde is adamant about having Rt Udeh Okoye a
s the National Secretary, while Wike staunchly supports Sam Daddy retaining the role.”
Meanwhile, Makinde, in a letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the Party, Umar Damagum, obtained by News Week Nigeria, urged him to swear in the nominee of Southeast, Rt. Hon. SKE Udeh-Okoye, as National Secretary of PDP, who is affirmed by the Enugu State High Court and backed by the PDP Board of Trustees.
Seyi Makinde letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of PDP It’s worth noting that Seyi Makinde, who was a member of the rebellious G-5 Governors, notably worked against the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
G-5 Port Harcourt declaration The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has distanced himself from the purported declaration by the former Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, that the G-5 Governors have thrown their weight behind the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
In a report published in page 4 of the Nigerian Tribune of January 13, 2024, former Governor Samuel Ortom in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was quoted to have said that the G-5 Governors had declared support for the 2027 Presidential aspiration of President Tinubu.
Engr Makinde was also said to have stated that, discussions about the 2027 Presidential Election when the President is less than seven months in office is premature and inappropriate, saying further that his major priority is to provide good and quality governance for citizens and residents of the state, and not the 2027 Presidency.
According to a source at the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan Oyo State, it was reported that the Governor was shocked and embarrassed to learn of the purported declaration in the media, without any form of consultation or discussion.
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that, one of the members of the G-5 Governors who was conspicuously missing in the said Port Harcourt meeting according to the Tribune report was Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
She further explained that the former Benue Governor was not speaking the minds of the G-5 members but rather making his own personal remarks and not on behalf of the G-5.
She concluded that members of the public should disregard the declaration, saying that such an action would have been appropriate, if it was a collective decision of the entire members concerned and could not possibly be taken by an individual.
