“I Didn’t Know He Was Into 419”: Wike Blasts Makinde in Explosive Media Chat

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of participating in "fraud" and "419" regarding the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during a live media chat in Abuja, where he addressed the ongoing struggle for the soul of the opposition party following the recent Supreme Court judgment.

The feud escalated after a faction of the party—backed by Governor Makinde—announced the creation of an interim National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Minister of Power, Tanimu Turaki.

Responding to these actions, Wike did not mince words, expressing shock at Makinde's involvement in the factional arrangement.

“I saw Governor Makinde as a young man who wanted to grow. I didn’t know he was into 419,” Wike stated during the broadcast, dismissing the interim committee as a fraudulent attempt to deceive Nigerians.

The FCT Minister issued a stern warning to both the rival faction and commercial banks, threatening to seal off any office established as an illegal parallel secretariat in the FCT. He further cautioned banks against opening accounts for the sale of nomination forms, warning that financial institutions found aiding the faction would face severe consequences.

"Let them open an office anywhere and call it PDP secretariat—I dare them. If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it," Wike declared.

The Makinde-backed PDP faction quickly responded to the remarks, dismissing Wike's comments as a sign of political frustration and calling them the "last kicks of a dying horse."

The escalating war of words highlights the deep division within the opposition as political alignments for the 2027 general elections take shape.