Makinde’s Problem was Ministerial Slot He Wasn’t Given, Says Wike

Makinde’s Problem was Ministerial Slot He Wasn’t Given, Says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the main issue between him and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stems from Makinde not being offered a ministerial position by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Wike explained that the disagreement was exaggerated and fueled by frustration over the missed appointment.

Wike recalled that he and other members of the G-5 including former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, met with President Tinubu to address the matter.

“When we agreed on this, Seyi’s problem was that he was not given a ministerial slot. Even when he was saying it, you could see the anger in him. We told him to ‘calm down,’” Wike said.

He also noted that tension arose when Ortom publicly expressed support for President Tinubu’s second term. “Seyi replied in the newspapers, saying, ‘Why would you say such a thing?’ I called him and said, ‘Even if he said so, you shouldn’t have replied in the newspaper.

You should have called a meeting so we could debate. By doing this, you’re showing as if there’s a division among us…’” Wike explained.

Wike further reflected on Makinde’s personality, linking some of his reactions to past successes. “Having made that $1 million so early, he reacts. When he looks back, he sees the figure of $1 million and forgets that Dangote was not the first person to make $1 million but he is the richest man in Africa today,” Wike added.

According to Wike, the issue is not personal but about expectations and communication. He emphasised that the meeting with the president was meant to resolve the matter and frustration over the ministerial slot simply amplified tensions among the governors.