FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing him as a repentant vagabond after pledging his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This was issued in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Mr Lere Olayinka who was reacting to comments by the governor. He had vowed not to suppress the PDP for the benefit of another party in 2027, dismissing the declaration as a face-saving measure borne out of political fear.

Olayinka characterised Makinde’s sudden shift in rhetoric as an admission of his past role in undermining the party’s interests.

He said: “He (Makinde) admitted that he was a vagabond. He said he has now repented. So, he is first a vagabond who claimed to have repented; happy repentance to him from being a vagabond.”

The minister’s aide further questioned the governor’s political consistency, warning that the “repentance” may only be temporary.

Invoking a traditional proverb to illustrate his point, Olayinka suggested that Makinde remained prone to the same “treachery” that defined his previous political manoeuvres.

“In my place, it is said that even when a madman is cured of his madness, there will still remain some traces of madness. Therefore, like he has been inconsistent politically, don’t be surprised tomorrow when he returns to being the same vagabond he claimed to have repented from,” he added.

Olayinka contended that the governor was currently unsettled by the shifting political landscape and was attempting to seek refuge within the party structure to avoid impending fallout.

He said: “Truth is, we understand his fears and worries. We understand that he knows what is coming. But too bad, we can’t help him from being consumed by the fire of political treachery he ignited.”

This comes after Wike, on Monday, February 2, declared interest in all activities of the PDP in Oyo State.

Speaking at the 105th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of his faction in Abuja, Wike had vowed to protect the national party from those he described as internal “vampires.”