Fresh intrigue gripped Abuja on Thursday following Governor Seyi Makinde’s private visit to the Presidential Villa, in what sources described as a politically charged encounter tied to the widening rivalry between the Oyo State Governor and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Insiders told TMN that Makinde arrived at the Villa with the Plateau State Governor, reportedly for support, amid speculation of strained relations with the Presidency ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
According to those familiar with the meeting, the President signaled willingness to address issues relating to Oyo State governance but rebuffed overt political overtures, suggesting that allegations previously made against the Presidency should remain in the public arena where they were first aired.
The President was also said to have reiterated that he expected no alliance from Makinde in the 2027 cycle, and would naturally stand with his own political party. The PDP’s internal frictions over Wike were not concealed, as the President reportedly praised Wike’s consistency and warned that personal grievances within the party should not be brought to the Villa.
The encounter may explain Makinde’s post-meeting remarks that he remains “comfortable in the PDP,” signaling uncertainty over his future role in national power alignments.
Critics seized on the moment to revisit Makinde’s earlier acknowledgment that Oyo State received a N30 billion Federal Government intervention following the January 2023 Ibadan explosion. Opposition voices argue that the Governor should clarify how the funds were deployed, while his supporters insist the matter has been repeatedly politicised.Makinde has not publicly commented on the alleged details of the Villa meeting.
The Presidency has also declined official confirmation of the reported exchanges, leaving the political class to interpret yet another twist in the PDP’s ongoing internal realignment ahead of 2027.