By Daure David
“Personally, when people go low or they go into the gutter, I don’t go with them.” Governor Seyi Makinde, responding to Wike’s threat to halt the PDP Convention in Ibadan.
This statement, calm yet cutting, marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political theatre. Governor Seyi Makinde, often underestimated in the national calculus, has begun to show his hand not with bluster, but with strategic silence and calculated moves. The drama unfolding between Makinde and Nyesom Wike is more than a clash of egos; it’s a preview of the next phase in Nigeria’s power realignment.
Makinde vs. Wike: The Quiet Storm
Wike, the ever-vocal Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, thrives on confrontation. But Makinde’s refusal to engage in public mudslinging signals a different kind of power play one rooted in patience, influence, and long-term vision. While Wike’s tenure in Abuja gives him temporary leverage, Makinde’s grip on Oyo State and growing national appeal may prove more enduring.
If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must choose between the two, Makinde could emerge as the more strategic ally. His influence in the Southwest, particularly Oyo, threatens to dilute PBAT’s vote bank if not carefully managed. And with Governor Adeleke’s loyalty uncertain likely to pivot toward Makinde post-re-election the Southwest becomes a chessboard with Makinde as a rising queen.
Makinde has nothing to lose. His second term frees him from the shackles of immediate electoral pressure. His moves suggest a veiled presidential ambition, one that doesn’t need loud declarations but builds quietly through alliances, relevance, and regional consolidation.
Wike, on the other hand, is cornered. Once his ministerial role ends, his influence in Rivers may wane, especially if Makinde succeeds in isolating him within the PDP. The Ibadan convention standoff is just the beginning of a broader strategy to clip Wike’s wings.
Former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose lurks in the background, watching the fallout. Known for his unpredictability and flair for political drama, Fayose may seize the moment to spite Wike, align with Asiwaju, and replicate Wike’s Rivers PDP dominance in Ekiti. His silence is not indifference it’s calculation.
This is not just a PDP affair. It’s a national drama with implications for APC leadership, regional balance, and 2027 ambitions. The Southwest is no longer a monolith. With Makinde’s rise, Adeleke’s ambiguity, and Fayose’s opportunism, the region is ripe for realignment.
As the curtain rises on this political opera, one thing is clear: the drama will be long, layered, and laced with intrigue. So grab your popcorn and more importantly, your PVC.
To the APC leadership: the ice cubes are melting. Do with them what you may.
