PDP: “You Can’t Pocket Me” – Wike Fires Back Amid Makinde 2027 Speculation

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he cannot be controlled or manipulated by any political figure, insisting that no one can “put him in their pocket.”

Wike made the statement while reacting to claims that he was allegedly uncomfortable with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s rumored presidential ambition.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, the former Rivers State governor dismissed the reports as baseless and mischievous.

“You can’t put people like us in your pocket; it’s not possible. Ask Fayose; he knows. You must know your people, those who will accept certain things and those who will not,” Wike said.

Wike, who has been at the center of internal wranglings within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said suggestions that he was unhappy about Makinde’s ambition were false and meant to stir unnecessary controversy.

“What do you mean that I’m not happy for Makinde to be a presidential candidate? Let’s not trivialize things,” he stated.

He noted that if Makinde was indeed serious about contesting the presidency, he would not have allowed the PDP to descend into its current state of crisis.

“Assuming you really want to be a presidential candidate, will you allow your party to have this kind of crisis?” Wike asked rhetorically.

The FCT minister further took a swipe at politicians who, according to him, treat presidential ambition as a casual pursuit, stressing that leadership requires more than academic qualifications or professional titles.

“It’s not about being a Ph.D. holder, an engineer, or a lawyer, that is not it. Being a presidential candidate is not just waking up in the morning and saying you want to be a presidential candidate. No,” Wike said.

He accused some politicians of pursuing personal interests under the guise of ambition, warning that such attitudes continue to weaken political parties and deepen internal divisions.

The PDP has been grappling with internal conflicts since the 2023 elections, with factions loyal to Wike and others aligned with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar often clashing over leadership and zoning issues.

Governor Makinde, one of Wike’s closest allies during the pre-election G5 movement, has in recent months sought to reposition himself as a unifying voice within the party, amid speculations about his 2027 presidential interest.

Wike’s latest comments come amid renewed calls within the PDP for reconciliation ahead of the next electoral cycle, a process that many believe will require both men to find common ground.

Wike’s remarks underscore his determination to maintain independence within the PDP while balancing his position as a minister under the All Progressives Congress-led government.

His comments also reflect lingering distrust within opposition ranks as key players begin subtle maneuverings ahead of 2027.