The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday mocked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Wike said the Oyo governor will not have started a fight that he can not win.
Wike spoke during the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja.
He expressed disappointment over remarks allegedly made by Makinde during a recent visit to Bauchi State concerning the government and judiciary.
“Unfortunately, I was watching my friend Seyi Makinde when he went to Bauchi, where he said we had government and judiciary; it’s so unfortunate,” he said.
The FCT minister warned against venturing into political battles without the required capacity, drawing a distinction between business interests and political authority.
“A fight you can’t fight, don’t start it. Politics is not contractor vision; they are two different things. I didn’t want to be a contractor, I wanted to have power while you wanted money,” he stated.
Wike stressed that financial success through contracts does not equate to political influence.
“You had contracts of over $1 million, then stay there. This is my own territory; remain a contractor. Contracts and politics are not the same thing. Being a contractor does not make you a politician; they are two different things,” he said.
He further suggested that Makinde’s political rise was supported by others, adding that his camp would firmly defend its influence.
“We are the ones that gave you everything, and you then became the governor, and today you are known. We are here to play, and if you are not ready, go home and rest.
“It’s our territory, so we have to protect it. We just want to make it clear that no blackmail will change us,” Wike said.
