2027 Elections: “I’m Not Ready to Go Into the Gutters with Anyone,” Makinde Taunts Wike
- Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike and Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde's rift took a new dimension
- On Thursday, August 21, Makinde tackled Wike and distanced himself from "gutter politics," stressing that his focus remains on service to the people and strengthening his party.
- Makinde also spoke about the challenges of the PDP following Atiku Abubakar's exit from the party ahead of the 2027 elections
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, on Thursday, August 21, said he is not ready to “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.”
Source: Facebook
Makinde made this statement while addressing journalists shortly after the South-West zoning consultative summit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held in Lagos.
As reported by The Punch, Makinde said:
“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy.
“I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching.”
Speaking further, Makinde added that despite challenges, recent elections had shown that the PDP remained a formidable force.
Source: Facebook
“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he said.
When asked about discussions on zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South, Makinde said the party was not yet at that stage.
“We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat.
“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said.
PDP, Wike camp clash over Jonathan, Obi, Makinde
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was embroiled in fresh internal divisions as its leaders remain divided over whether to field former president Goodluck Jonathan, former Anambra state governor Peter Obi, or Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
According to Daily Trust, multiple party sources disclosed that some leaders, allegedly aligned with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are pushing for Obi, while another bloc is rooting for Jonathan.
They argued that the former president is the only figure within the party capable of giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a serious challenge in 2027. A third group has also thrown Makinde’s name into the mix.
2027: Wike urges PDP zone ticket to south
Meanwhile, Makinde spoke weeks after FCT minister Nyesom Wike and some concerned leaders in the People Democratic Party (PDP) agreed that the party must zone its presidential ticket to the South in 2027.
They made the call to the leadership of the PDP after a meeting with Wike in Abuja on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Read more about PDP here:
- 2027 election: “Atiku, PDP defectors will return,” Ex-Senate president mentions condition
- Battle for who becomes PDP chairman begins
2027 presidency: Makinde’s posters flood Kano
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the race for the 2027 presidential election took another new dimension on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Governor Seyi Makinde's campaign posters flooded the city of Kano ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Nigeria Youths Awareness Group Makinde 2027 (NYAG Makinde 2027) explained the reason for promoting the Oyo state governor.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
