Akinfenwa says Gov. Seyi Makinde controls Oyo State politics, while FCT Minister Nyesom Wike holds national influence ahead of 2027 elections
Political scientist Akinwunmi Akinfenwa has asserted that Governor Seyi Makinde maintains an undisputed grip on Oyo State politics, even as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continues to wield significant influence nationally.
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Akinfenwa provided an in-depth analysis of power dynamics within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the strategic calculations of the Presidency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Well, let me start with the Ibadan politics that we are talking about. 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,” Akinfenwa said.
The analyst described Wike as a high-stakes player who prioritises results over political decorum, calling him “an enfant terrible in politics” with the capacity to deliver.
On President Bola Tinubu’s recent involvement in the Rivers State crisis and continued alliance with Wike, Akinfenwa said the President’s actions were motivated by political pragmatism rather than sentiment.
“President Tinubu is just trying to be pragmatic… Wike delivered in 2023 and has firm control of the grassroots in Rivers State. He is thinking of 2027,” Akinfenwa explained.
The interview also addressed questions of morality in politics, with Akinfenwa asserting that Nigerian political manoeuvres are driven by cost-benefit calculations rather than ethical considerations.
“Well, there is no morality in politics; it’s about the ability to seize the opportunity that comes your way. 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.
Akinfenwa also traced the tension between Wike and PDP leadership to the lead-up to the 2023 elections, when Wike, Makinde, and other governors formed the G5 group, challenging the party’s presidential candidate and pushing for regional balance in the party chairmanship.
While Wike helped deliver Rivers State to APC’s Bola Tinubu, Makinde secured his own re-election in Oyo State despite friction with the national party.
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The two allies have since diverged in their approaches to the current administration.
