Monday, July 6, 2026

PDP Crisis: You started fight you couldn’t win, Wike mocks Makinde

The minister stressed that politics requires strategy.

• March 23, 2026
Wike and Makinde
Nyesom Wike and Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, has again taken a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, berating the governor for entering a political battle he lacked the capacity to finish.

“A fight you can’t fight, don’t start it,” Mr Wike declared on Monday during the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“It’s unfortunate that a fight you cannot fight, you started. Politics is not contract work,” he added.

The minister, who openly ridiculed Mr Makinde’s approach to politics, drew a sharp contrast between governance and business dealings.

Mr Wike stated, “They are two different things. You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor. Politics is not a contract of Shell. I didn’t go into politics to be a contractor. I went into politics to have power.”

While cautioning party members against engaging in unnecessary political battles, the minister further stressed that politics requires strategy, advising members to be loyal ahead of the PDP convention scheduled for next week.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody that doesn’t show commitment to the convention, don’t come back and tell us that ‘oh, I’m fully back.’ No, I will not accept that.

“Money is not everything in this world; money has limitations. Remove fear from your body. The moment you have fear, you have already failed. Believe that you have the capacity to do this, and you can do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the national caretaker working committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, told the gathering that the party had successfully navigated recent legal and political hurdles and commended Mr Wike for his sacrifices in keeping the party structures intact.

The NEC meeting served as the final preparatory gathering ahead of the party’s elective, where key leadership positions would be contested.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

NationWide

Rep seeks suspension of proposed NYSC reforms

Mr Agbese defended the scheme’s longstanding military orientation.

NationWide

Tinubu inherited bad roads, tackling infrastructure deficit headlong, says senator 

The senator said that the administration had been reconstructing existing roads.

States

Police nab eight Gombe suspects over alleged robbery, internet fraud

Mr Abdullahi urged them to report suspicious activities to the security agencies.

NationWide

Non-implementation of master plan responsible for Coastal road flooding: Umahi

Mr Umahi thanked the contractor handling the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Hitech Construction Company Ltd. for efficiency.

D'Tigers

NationWide

D’Tigers beat Rwanda 106-62 in World Cup Qualifier

Mr Okoye said, “Going home 3-0 feels amazing, but the job is not done. Representing Nigeria means the world to me, and every opportunity to wear this jersey is a blessing.”

President Bola Tinubu

NationWide

Lagos deputy governor, APC state chairmen hail Tinubu’s visionary leadership

Mr Hamzat described Mr Tinubu as an inclusive leader who encouraged innovation and welcomed superior ideas irrespective of their source.