The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Federal Constituency Matters, Dare Adeleke, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of a long history of betraying political allies and benefactors.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, Adeleke claimed that Wike’s political career “reflects a consistent pattern of abusing friendships and destroying relationships,” adding that Governor Makinde “could never align himself with such a person.”
His comments followed Wike’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where the minister downplayed his relationship with Makinde, describing it as merely political and denying any close friendship. Wike also dismissed suggestions that Makinde could emerge as Nigeria’s president.
Wike and Makinde were both members of the G5 group of governors who, ahead of the 2023 presidential election, advocated for power rotation to the South and opposed the presidential ambition of former PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
During the interview, Wike said his disagreement with Makinde had nothing to do with rivalry but rather with enforcing party discipline within the PDP.
Reacting to claims that the tension stemmed from Makinde’s alleged presidential ambition, he laughed off the idea, saying leadership “is not about being a PhD holder, an engineer, or a lawyer… not about waking up and saying I want to be a presidential candidate.”
In response, Adeleke said Wike’s alleged tendency to betray benefactors was evident in his relationships with former Rivers State governors Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi, warning President Bola Tinubu to be wary of suffering a similar fate.
“Wike’s stock-in-trade is abusing friendships and betraying those who made him,” Adeleke said.
“Virtually everyone who supported his rise is no longer his friend. Peter Odili appointed him council chairman; they fell out. Rotimi Amaechi made him Chief of Staff, and he turned against him. Patience and Goodluck Jonathan helped him become governor, and now he bites the same fingers that fed him. His trait is arrogance; he is not someone anyone can rely upon.”
Adeleke added that “Wike is compounding problems for Tinubu,” but argued that the President cannot call him to order because “they are birds of a feather.”
The aide contrasted Makinde’s character with Wike’s, describing the Oyo governor as “principled, morally grounded, and dignified.”
“Governor Makinde can never be friends with someone like Wike,” Adeleke said.
“Makinde is a quiet gentleman from a noble background who believes in ethics, respect, and loyalty. He doesn’t thrive on desperation or intimidation. His performance speaks for him not noise or betrayal.”
Adeleke further accused Wike of using federal power to impose himself on the PDP in Rivers State and to intimidate party members who refuse to support him.
“What Wike is doing in Rivers and in the PDP is a repeat pattern,” he alleged. “Anyone who refuses to dance to his tune becomes an enemy. He did it to Odili, to Amaechi, to the Jonathans, and now he thinks he can do it to Makinde. A leopard cannot change its spots.”
Adeleke also questioned Wike’s loyalty to the PDP, calling him “a fake member” who works against the same party that made him.
“If not, why would someone use thugs to harass PDP members who supported his rise? Wike boasts about being in the PDP, yet works to cripple it. He is compounding problems for both the PDP and the government he claims to serve.”
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