Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly detailed a private political meeting involving himself, President Bola Tinubu, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealing his shock at Wike’s declaration to politically support President Tinubu for the 2027 general election by offering to "hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)" for him. Makinde firmly rejected this move, emphasizing his commitment to the survival of opposition politics in Nigeria.

During a media chat on Tuesday, Governor Makinde recounted the meeting, which was also attended by the President’s Chief of Staff and other officials. He explicitly quoted Wike telling President Tinubu, “Sir, I will hold PDP for you, you know, in 2027.” This statement, Makinde said, left him stunned. He immediately confronted Wike after the meeting, asking, “Wike, did we agree to this?”

Makinde stressed that while Wike has the constitutional right to support President Tinubu, he would not be part of any arrangement that aims to weaken the opposition or threaten Nigeria’s democratic space by drifting towards a one-party state. He articulated his stance: "Wike would like to support the President for 2027. That’s fine. It is within his right to do so. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and that we don’t drift into a one-party state, and we want to ensure that PDP survives. It should also allow us to do our own thing."

The Oyo governor further revealed that he confided in a mutual friend, suggesting that Wike might have been volunteering an errand the President never sent him on, hoping Wike would reconsider. However, Wike's refusal to back off solidified Makinde's position. "After he didn’t back off, I said, well, now it’s time to confront him. Because I told him from that day that I would never be a part of this," Makinde explained. Consequently, Makinde declared, "That is why I will not be supporting the president for 2027. Wike can support him. It is within his right. But also it is within my own right to decide within the political space who I will support or what I will do in 2027.” He also rejected President Tinubu’s alleged suggestion that he help organize the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, asserting his unwavering allegiance to the PDP.

The political disagreements between Makinde and Wike, once allies in the G5 group of PDP governors who broke ranks with the party leadership during the 2023 general elections, have intensified. The G5 group, which included former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Samuel Ortom, supported Tinubu after disputes over zoning arrangements and the refusal of then-PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu to step down. Following Tinubu's victory, Wike accepted an appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in the APC-led administration.

Relations deteriorated further, leading to disciplinary measures announced by the Makinde-aligned PDP faction in Oyo State against Wike and other senior party figures like Ayodele Fayose for alleged anti-party activities. Despite these actions and Wike's denial, Wike has consistently maintained his PDP membership while reiterating his intention to support Tinubu in 2027. Makinde, however, emphasized that political loyalty should not override individual democratic choice and that his position is rooted in principle—protecting the party's integrity and ensuring members' freedom to determine their political futures without coercion. He believes Nigeria would benefit from a more inclusive political arrangement, like a "government of national unity" or "government of national competence."