Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, cautioning against engaging in political confrontations without the capacity to sustain them.

Wike made the remarks on Monday night during the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, amid growing internal tensions within the opposition party.

The development follows claims by Makinde that politicians aligned with a faction of the PDP led by Wike were indirectly supporting the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027.

Makinde had made the assertion during a meeting in Bauchi with Governor Bala Mohammed and Senator Seriake Dickson, where he alleged that Wike had promised to “hold the PDP” for the President.

However, responding at the NEC meeting, Wike dismissed the claims as misleading and unfounded, expressing disappointment over what he described as a misrepresentation of events.

“It is unfortunate that a fight you cannot fight, you started. Politics is not contract work,” Wike said, in a remark widely interpreted as a direct criticism of Makinde.

Drawing a distinction between politics and private enterprise, the FCT minister further took a jab at the Oyo governor, suggesting a divergence in priorities between political power and financial interests.

“You wanted money; I wanted power. Stay where you are as a contractor,” he added.

Wike also cautioned party members against engaging in unnecessary political battles, stressing that success in politics depends on strategy, discipline and long-term planning rather than rhetoric.

Looking ahead to the PDP’s national convention scheduled for March 29–30, the minister urged members to demonstrate loyalty and commitment, warning that those who fail to participate actively should not expect to be accommodated afterwards.

He, however, called for unity within the party, urging leaders to pursue genuine reconciliation efforts while maintaining sincerity and discipline among members.

The exchange highlights deepening divisions within the PDP as the party prepares for its upcoming convention and navigates internal disagreements ahead of future elections.