'Makinde Cannot Work with Wike, He Has a History of Betrayal'

‘Makinde Cannot Work with Wike, He Has a History of Betrayal’ – Adeleke
Adeleke criticizes Wike’s history of falling out with political allies.
He contrasts Makinde’s leadership style with Wike’s approach, calling him principled and loyal.

The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Federal Constituency Matters, Dare Adeleke, has stated that his principal, Governor Makinde, cannot form an alliance with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, due to Wike’s history of betraying political allies.

Adeleke, in an interview with Punch, emphasized that Wike’s political career is marked by a consistent pattern of falling out with his former allies and destroying relationships. He asserted that these traits make it impossible for Makinde to trust or align with Wike.

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“Wike has a track record of abusing friendships and destroying relationships,” Adeleke said. “This is evident in his fractured relationships with many who helped him rise politically.”

EKO HOT BLOG reports that The comments followed Wike’s earlier remarks where he denied having a close friendship with Makinde, clarifying that their relationship was strictly political. Wike also downplayed Makinde’s prospects for a presidential bid in Nigeria, which added fuel to the ongoing tensions between the two.

Adeleke pointed out that Wike’s tendency to betray allies is reflected in his strained relationships with former governors of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Odili, warning that President Bola Tinubu should be cautious of suffering a similar fate.

“Wike’s stock-in-trade is abusing friendships and betraying those who made him,” Adeleke continued. “Virtually everyone who supported his rise is no longer his friend. Peter Odili appointed him council chairman, but they fell out. Rotimi Amaechi made him Chief of Staff, and he turned against him. Patience and Goodluck Jonathan stood by him to become governor, and today, he bites the same hands that fed him.”

He further criticized Wike’s arrogance, stating that he is not a trustworthy person and cannot be relied upon by anyone. “Wike is compounding the problem for Tinubu, and Tinubu cannot caution him because they are birds of a feather,” Adeleke added.

Adeleke then contrasted Governor Makinde’s style of leadership with that of Wike, describing Makinde as “principled, morally grounded, and one who acts with restraint and dignity.” He explained that Governor Makinde is a “gentleman of noble background” who believes in ethics, respect, and loyalty, and does not engage in “desperation or intimidation.”

“Governor Makinde can never be friends with someone like Wike,” Adeleke said. “Makinde is a quiet gentleman, a man whose performance speaks for him. He does not thrive on noise or betrayal.”

Adeleke also accused Wike of attempting to impose his will on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, targeting party members who oppose him using federal power.

“What Wike is doing in Rivers and the PDP is a repeat pattern. Anyone who refuses to dance to his tune becomes an enemy. He did it to Odili, to Amaechi, to the Jonathans, and now he thinks he can do it to Makinde. Truly, a leopard cannot change its spots,” Adeleke concluded.