‘I made my first $1m at 29 while Wike chased LG chairmanship’ — Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recalling their contrasting personal and political journeys while criticising Wike’s role in recent national political developments.
Speaking on Tuesday during a media chat with journalists in Ibadan, Makinde said he earned his first one million dollars at the age of 29, at a time when Wike was still struggling politically. “I was 29 when I made my first one million dollars, while Wike was still battling to become a local government chairman,” he said.
Makinde also revealed details of a meeting involving President Bola Tinubu, where Wike allegedly pledged to weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling party’s benefit ahead of the 2023 general election. According to him, Wike told Tinubu he would “hold the PDP down” for him.
The governor confirmed that he supported Tinubu in the 2023 election but ruled out backing him in 2027, saying Wike was free to continue supporting the president. He also criticised the reconciliation meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), faulting the selective invitation of PDP factions.
Makinde questioned why Ambassador Umar Damagum, who was acting national chairman when Senator Samuel Anyanwu served as national secretary, was not invited to the meeting despite Anyanwu’s presence, describing the process as flawed.
On his role in the G5 governors’ movement, which included Wike and influenced the emergence of the current administration, Makinde admitted the group made a wrong political calculation. “We thought the present government would do better, but I regret that action,” he said.
He described himself as “overqualified” for the office of president, citing his private sector experience with Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron, his involvement in the West African Gas Pipeline project, and his two terms as governor. He said he joined the PDP in 2002 due to the influence of former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
Looking ahead to 2027, Makinde said his focus was on building a competitive opposition rather than personal ambition, insisting that public anger and hardship remained decisive factors. He added that Oyo State has maintained stable relations with the federal government, paid salaries consistently for seven years, and strengthened security in the South-West through the Amotekun initiative.
