“Vagabond Politics”? Makinde’s Blistering Rebuke of Wike Exposes Deep Fissures in Nigeria’s PDP
In a dramatic and sharply worded response that is already reverberating across Nigeria’s political landscape, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly lambasted FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, describing him as a “vagabond” in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and questioning his moral authority to comment on the party’s affairs in Oyo State. Makinde’s comments mark a significant escalation in what has become one of the most fractious internal party disputes in recent Nigerian political history — one that underscores deepening divisions within the PDP just over a year before the 2027 general elections.
Makinde’s Rebuke: A Close Look at His Statement
On February 3, 2026, during the commissioning of the new PDP secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde launched a blistering verbal attack on Wike, dismissing his interest in the Oyo State PDP as misplaced and hypocritical. In a remark that quickly went viral across social media and news platforms, Makinde said:
> “Nyesom Wike is a vagabond who surfaced fully in 2015 and was expelled in 2025. Ask him what he has done with the PDP in Rivers State to now have an interest in Oyo PDP.”
This choice of words — especially the term “vagabond” — has sparked widespread discussion, not just about rhetoric but about competing visions and claims to legitimacy within the PDP. Makinde invoked a Yoruba proverb to emphasize his point: “If you see a house or compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up,” suggesting that Wike and his associates represented disorder within the party.
Makinde went further to assert that such elements within the PDP had already been removed:
> “They grew up in 2015, and for 10 years practised their vagabondry in the PDP. But they have been expelled in November 2025.”
In making this point, Makinde didn’t just criticise Wike — he sought to delegitimise him by portraying him as someone whose influence in the party had already waned.
What Sparked the Row: Wike’s Intervention in Oyo PDP Affairs
The feud traces back to statements made by Nyesom Wike at the PDP’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Wike declared that he was “interested in the survival and success” of the PDP and was following developments within the Oyo State PDP chapter closely.
Wike insisted that his involvement was about strengthening the party and ensuring its continued relevance. He dismissed claims of intimidation and insisted that judicial rulings supporting his faction should be respected — a reference to court decisions in Oyo that recognised his camp’s position in internal disputes.
To many political observers, however, this intervention appeared to signal his readiness to influence how the PDP is structured and led in states beyond his native Rivers — an impulse that did not sit well with Makinde or the Oyo PDP leadership.
Context: A Party in Turmoil
This clash must be understood against the backdrop of deep divisions and factional struggles within the PDP following its defeat at the 2023 general elections. Since then, Nigeria’s once‑dominant opposition party has grappled with leadership disputes, parallel leadership structures, legal battles, and defections.
In a dramatic development reflecting this turmoil, the PDP’s National Working Committee reportedly issued expulsion certificates to prominent members, including Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and ex‑National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu in November 2025.
The party’s governance crisis and factional battles have been widely documented across Nigerian media, with each side accusing the other of anti‑party activities, destabilisation, or self‑serving politics.
Makinde’s Strategic Positioning
For Governor Makinde, the stakes are high. Oyo State is a significant PDP stronghold in the Southwest — and maintaining party unity and control ahead of the 2027 elections is arguably essential to the party’s chances of winning back political ground.
Makinde’s criticisms of Wike have been pointed and personal. Beyond the “vagabond” label, he openly questioned Wike’s achievements in his own home state of Rivers, challenging him to explain what he had done to strengthen the PDP there before pontificating on Oyo’s internal affairs.
Makinde also openly acknowledged his past association with Wike’s faction, indicating that he has since “repented” and distanced himself from those political actors he believes are undermining the PDP’s prospects.
In addition, Makinde underscored the need for the PDP in Oyo to remain focused on governance and service delivery, rather than being drawn into factional battles that could weaken the party’s appeal to voters.
Wider Implications for the PDP and Nigerian Politics
The conflict between these two political heavyweights reflects broader challenges facing Nigerian political parties, especially regarding internal democracy and cohesion. As political analysts have noted, disputes within major parties can have far‑reaching consequences for electoral competitiveness and national governance stability.
For the PDP, which lost federal power in 2015 — a turning point that many argue created leadership vacuums and intensified internal struggles — the current turmoil is a continuation of unresolved tensions.
The factionalism within the party raises crucial questions about:
• Internal Party Democracy
Who gets to lead and make decisions? How are disagreements resolved without harming electoral prospects?
• Regional Power Dynamics
Wike’s strong influence in the South‑South and Makinde’s in the Southwest underscore how regional leaders shape party direction.
• Electoral Strategy Ahead of 2027
The PDP must present unity and coherence if it hopes to reclaim political space from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Critics argue that public feuds weaken the party’s public image and electoral appeal.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for the PDP
Governor Seyi Makinde’s rebuke of Nyesom Wike — especially his use of the “vagabond” label — is more than political theatre. It is a symbolic manifestation of deep ideological and strategic divisions within the PDP, each side accusing the other of undermining the party’s integrity.
As Nigeria hurtles closer to the 2027 general elections, it remains to be seen whether this conflict will be reconciled or whether it instead heralds further fragmentation. What is clear is that the PDP’s ability to manage these internal disputes could shape its relevance and viability as a major opposition force in Nigeria’s complex political arena.
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