Dare Babalola
Akinwunmi Akinfenwa, a political scientist, has noted that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is a major player in national politics, but Governor Seyi Makinde has firm control over Oyo State’s political scene.
Akinfenwa gave the sharp analysis of PDP’s internal dynamics and the Presidency’s moves ahead of 2027 on ARISE TV’s Morning Show Wednesday.
Addressing the perceived influence of Wike across various states, Akinfenwa was quick to draw a line at the borders of Oyo.
He said, “Well, let me start with the Ibadan politics that we are talking about. The truth of the matter is that Nyesom Wike has a lot of tentacles and is very strong politically.
“But when it comes to the politics of Ibadan and of Oyo State, we give it to His Excellency the Engineer, Seyi Makinde, no doubt about it. He is in full and firm control of PDP in Oyo State.
“While we can acknowledge that Nyesom Wike is strong politically, when it comes to Ibadan politics, we must give it to Gov. Seyi Makinde.”
When questioned about President Bola Tinubu’s recent involvement in the Rivers State crisis and his continued alliance with Wike, Akinfenwa described the President’s stance as one of “political pragmatism” rather than sentiment.
“President Tinubu is just trying to be pragmatic with his recent comment on the Rivers crisis because Wike delivered in 2023, and he has firm control of the grassroots in Rivers State. President Tinubu is aware of this and is thinking of 2027”, he explained.
He further characterised the FCT Minister as a high-stakes player who prioritises results over political decorum.
“You know, he’s an enfant terrible in politics, but there’s nothing anybody can do about that. What is important is the ability to deliver.
“He has the capacity to do that. No doubt about it”, Akinfenwa said.
The interview took a sharp turn when the host suggested that such alliances could be described as “political opportunism.”
Akinfenwa did not shy away from the label, instead arguing that morality is often absent in the quest for power.
“Well, there is no morality in politics; it’s about the ability to be able to seize the opportunity that comes your way and use it. You know, it’s just a matter of cost-benefit analysis that you have to do”, he said.
Concluding his analysis, Akinfenwa noted that the current political climate in Nigeria is governed by cold logic rather than emotion.
“If I take this decision, will it pay me? What is the benefit? So it is very, very, very, very cold and calculating. Politics has nothing to do with morality, and you don’t bring emotions into it. It is just a Machiavellian way of doing things”, he said.
