PDP crisis: Wike tackles Makinde, says politics not for contractors

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday took a swipe at Seyi Makinde, declaring that political battles should not be initiated without the capacity to sustain them.

Wike spoke during the 107th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of Peoples Democratic Party, where he criticised comments allegedly credited to Makinde concerning meetings involving him and President Bola Tinubu.

Describing the situation as unfortunate, the FCT minister warned against engaging in confrontations without adequate political strength.

“A fight you cannot fight, don’t start it,” Wike said, stressing that politics requires calculation, influence and endurance rather than mere bold declarations.

He also dismissed what he described as attempts to reduce politics to business transactions, insisting that political participation is driven by the pursuit of power and influence, not contracts.

“Politics is not contract work. Politics is not a contract of Shell. I did not go into politics to be a contractor; I went into politics to have power,” he stated.

In an apparent reference to internal disagreements within the party, Wike urged members to remain committed to the party’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, warning that disloyalty would not be tolerated.

According to him, party members who fail to demonstrate commitment to the convention should not expect automatic acceptance afterwards.

“After this NEC meeting, anybody that does not show commitment to the convention should not return later to claim full loyalty. I will not accept that,” he added.

The minister further called for genuine reconciliation within the party, urging leaders to strengthen unity while ensuring sincerity in ongoing efforts to resolve internal disputes.

He maintained that only discipline, loyalty and strategic engagement would enable the PDP to overcome its current challenges ahead of future political contests.