Within One Year, I Made $1 Million in 1997; Wike Had Perhaps Just Left Law School – Gov Makinde

By Tgnews Reporter

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has publicly highlighted his early business success while taking a swipe at Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, amid ongoing tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during a media chat at the Government House in Ibadan, Makinde recounted securing his first major contract with Mobil, stating: “This is the first contract that Mobil awarded to Makun. Within that one year, I made $1 million. I was 29 years old in 1997, and perhaps at that time, he (Wike) had just left law school.”

Makinde, born on December 25, 1967, founded Makon Engineering and Technical Services Limited (METS) in 1997 after years in the oil and gas sector. Records confirm Wike attended the Nigerian Law School in 1997 following his graduation from Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

The governor’s remarks extended to political differences, revealing the root of his fallout with Wike. “The real issue was that I was in a meeting with the president [Bola Tinubu], Wike, the president’s chief of staff, and a few others. Wike told the president that he will hold PDP for him in 2027,” Makinde said.

He emphasized that Wike’s pledge was unsolicited: “The president did not even ask him. He was the one who volunteered to do that.” Makinde distanced himself from any such arrangement, declaring: “Wike would like to support the president for 2027, but that is his choice… I have my own choice as well, and I will never support the president for 2027.”

The comments underscore deepening divisions in the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, with Wike’s alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government continuing to fuel internal conflicts.

Makinde’s statements have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with clips of the media chat circulating rapidly. The governor’s assertion of financial independence at a young age appears aimed at contrasting his pre-political career with Wike’s entry into public office as a local government chairman shortly after law school.

As PDP crises persist, observers note that Makinde’s public rebuke signals his intent to chart an independent path within the opposition party.