Wike Pulls Out of PDP Reconciliation Deal, Accuses Makinde, Enugu Gov. Peter Mba of Betrayal

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic escalation of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) internal crisis, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has withdrawn from all reconciliation agreements within the party, accusing key leaders, particularly Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, of betrayal, dishonesty, and flagrant violations of mutual understandings.

The announcement, made in a fiery statement on Sunday, marks a significant rupture in the PDP’s efforts to mend its fractured unity following the 2023 general elections.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor and prominent member of the influential G5 group, traced the PDP’s turmoil to the post-2023 election period, describing it as a descent into “dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders.”

Since after the 2023 General Election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another

He lamented the party’s trajectory, stating, “Since after the 2023 General Election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another,” despite efforts to curb what he called a “pernicious virus of dishonesty and treachery.”

The minister singled out Governor Makinde as the “architect of our problems,” alleging that Makinde’s failure to honor agreements was the root of the party’s discord. Wike revealed that the G5 governors had previously resolved to reconcile during a meeting in Lagos, followed by a broader gathering in Abuja at Senator Bukola Saraki’s guest house.

Makinde’s failure to honor agreements was the root of the party’s discord

The Abuja meeting, attended by Governors Bala Mohammed, Umaru Fintiri, Makinde, and Saraki, produced resolutions including recognizing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary per a Supreme Court ruling, withdrawing court cases related to Rivers State, and halting moves toward a state of emergency in Rivers.

However, Wike alleged that these agreements were “brazenly violated” before the Saraki-led reconciliation committee could act. He accused Makinde of conspiring with Enugu State Governor Peter Mba to undermine the resolutions by pushing for Ude Okoye as National Secretary through a South-East leaders’ meeting, threatening to exit the PDP if their demands were unmet.

Wike further criticized party officials for sidelining Anyanwu by promoting the Deputy National Secretary as acting National Secretary, a move he called a “complete violation” of agreements.

Highlighting a recent incident, Wike pointed to the aborted PDP zonal elective congress in Jos on May 24, 2025, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to oversee because the invitation letter was signed by the Deputy National Secretary instead of Anyanwu, the recognized National Secretary. “This is undeniably distasteful, provocative, and annoying, to say the least,” Wike fumed.

This is undeniably distasteful, provocative, and annoying, to say the least

Reflecting on his decades-long loyalty to the PDP since 1998, Wike expressed deep frustration, noting his significant contributions to the party and its leaders, including supporting many governors’ elections without personal demands.

“What is more painful is that I contributed substantially to most of these governors winning their elections, yet I have not made any personal demands on any of them and I would never do so,” he said.

Citing a loss of faith in the party’s leadership, Wike declared, “I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”

His exit from reconciliation efforts signals a deepening crisis for the PDP, which has yet to issue an official response. Governors Makinde and Mba have also not commented on Wike’s allegations as of this report’s filing.

The PDP’s internal strife now threatens its cohesion ahead of future political contests, with Wike’s bold move raising questions about the party’s ability to unify its ranks.

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