Wike also dismissed the notion that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) automatically confers party leadership on him in Rivers State, arguing that there are exceptions to political conventions. Wike described the allegation as a “blatant lie,” stressing that no such meeting ever took place. Why did Makinde not come out to tell the party that this is what Wike said? Wike clarified that the only meeting involving Makinde and some PDP governors after the 2023 general election was a courtesy visit to President Tinubu, not a political negotiation. “Myself, former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Seyi Makinde went to see the President after the elections.

Source: The Guardian December 29, 2025 16:28 UTC