Wike Claims Tinubu Gave Makinde ₦50bn Support, Says He Hasn’t Enjoyed Same Backing

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he has not received the level of support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, allegedly enjoyed.

Wike made the claim on Monday during a media parley with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

According to the former Rivers State governor, Makinde benefitted significantly from President Tinubu’s goodwill despite publicly criticising the president and claiming he was denied a ministerial slot.

“I have not gotten the kind of support Seyi Makinde got from President Tinubu,” Wike said.

He alleged that Makinde personally approached the president for financial assistance, which was approved.

“Makinde wrote to the president—the same man he is talking about, saying he didn’t give him a ministerial slot,” Wike stated.

The FCT minister dismissed calls for documentary proof, insisting the issue was not about evidence but facts known to those involved.

“What I don’t like about people is when they say, ‘show evidence.’ It’s not the issue of showing evidence,” he said.

Wike further alleged that President Tinubu approved a ₦50 billion grant requested by the Oyo State governor.

“Can Makinde look up and say he did not apply for a grant of ₦50 billion which the president approved for him?” he asked.

The remarks add to the growing political tension among key figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their differing relationships with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.