Makinde Would Never Have Won Without Us” — Wike Claims Credit for Oyo PDP Victories

Wike said Makinde had contested several elective offices in the past without success due to the absence of a solid political structure.

Speaking on Monday during his end-of-year media interaction, Wike explained that ahead of the 2019 general elections, Makinde was brought to him, after which a decision was taken to hand over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Oyo State to him.

According to the minister, it was only after receiving the party’s structure that Makinde successfully contested and won the governorship election.

Wike dismissed claims that Makinde’s personal wealth was enough to secure electoral victory, insisting that money alone could not replace political organisation.

He said: “At the time Seyi Makinde claimed he made his first $1 million, I was already chairman of one of the most strategic local government areas in the country. I chose political power, not contracting, and I had that power.

“In 2007, Makinde contested for Senate under the ANPP and lost. In 2013, he was brought to me to take over the PDP structure in Oyo State, but I declined and gave it to Teslim Folarin. He then ran for governor under the SDP and lost despite having his $1 million.

“It was ahead of the 2019 elections that he returned, and we agreed to give him the party structure. At that time, I was already firmly rooted in politics without having $1 million, while he was moving around with money looking for political backing.

“It was only after we provided him with the structure that Seyi Makinde became governor.”

Wike’s comments were in response to earlier remarks by Governor Makinde, who said he had already earned $1 million at a time when Wike was still serving as a local government chairman.

The FCT minister, however, countered that regardless of Makinde’s wealth, he was still subject to the laws enacted under his leadership as local government chairman.