Political analyst Akinwunmi Akinfenwa has argued that despite Nyesom Wike’s nationwide political clout, Governor Seyi Makinde remains firmly in charge of the political machinery in Oyo State.
Akinfenwa shared his views on Wednesday, February 4, while speaking on the ARISE News Morning Show, where he examined internal alignments within the Peoples Democratic Party and the broader calculations shaping alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Wike’s political strength is undeniable, but it does not override Makinde’s dominance in Oyo.
He said, “Well, let me start with the Ibadan politics that we are talking about. The truth of the matter is that Nyesom Wike has a lot of tentacles and is very strong politically.
“But when it comes to the politics of Ibadan and of Oyo State, we give it to His Excellency the Engineer, Seyi Makinde, no doubt about it. He is in full and firm control of PDP in Oyo State.
“While we can acknowledge that Nyesom Wike is strong politically, when it comes to Ibadan politics, we must give it to Gov. Seyi Makinde.”
Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the Rivers State crisis and his continued political partnership with Wike, Akinfenwa described the President’s posture as driven by strategy rather than sentiment.
“President Tinubu is just trying to be pragmatic with his recent comment on the Rivers crisis because Wike delivered in 2023, and he has firm control of the grassroots in Rivers State. President Tinubu is aware of this and is thinking of 2027”, he said.
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He further characterised Wike as a results-oriented political actor.
“You know, he’s an enfant terrible in politics, but there’s nothing anybody can do about that. What is important is the ability to deliver.
“He has the capacity to do that. No doubt about it”, Akinfenwa said.
When the issue of political opportunism was raised, Akinfenwa insisted that ethical considerations rarely shape political decisions.
“Well, there is no morality in politics; it’s about the ability to be able to seize the opportunity that comes your way and use it. You know, it’s just a matter of cost-benefit analysis that you have to do”, he said.
He concluded by describing Nigeria’s political environment as cold and calculating.
“If I take this decision, will it pay me? What is the benefit? So it is very, very, very, very cold and calculating.
“Politics has nothing to do with morality, and you don’t bring emotions into it. It is just a Machiavellian way of doing things”, he said.
The rift involving Wike and the PDP leadership dates back to the period before the 2023 general elections, when he joined Makinde and three other governors in the G5 group that challenged the party’s presidential ticket led by Atiku Abubakar.
Although both politicians remained in the PDP, Wike delivered Rivers State to Bola Tinubu of the APC, while Makinde secured re-election in Oyo State despite tensions with the party’s national leadership.