Makinde dismisses defection speculation after meeting Tinubu

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has ruled out any plan to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that he remains comfortable in the opposition party despite recent high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Makinde made this known on Thursday after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

“No, I’m comfortable in the PDP,” the governor told journalists, dismissing suggestions that his visit to the President signalled a possible move to the APC.

He explained that the meeting focused strictly on governance issues of national importance, not partisan politics.

“The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of APC. We discussed governance issues. That was the basis of my visit,” Makinde said.

Responding to questions about internal disagreements within the PDP and whether they influenced his engagement with the President, the governor maintained that cooperation on national issues does not equate to abandoning party loyalty.

Makinde stressed the importance of a strong opposition in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections, while acknowledging that bipartisan collaboration is sometimes necessary.

“There are issues where you need everyone on board. It’s not about APC or PDP alone. Nigeria is a project we must all work on,” he said.

He added that leaders across party lines must collaborate on critical issues such as security, poverty alleviation, and citizens’ welfare, noting that such responsibilities transcend partisan interests.

Makinde’s comments come amid an unprecedented wave of defections that has significantly weakened the PDP. Since 2025, several governors and senior party figures have left the opposition for the APC or other parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Notable defections include Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also left the PDP for the Accord Party in December 2025.

As a result, the PDP now controls only four states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo and Zamfara—down from 16 in 2015. Its Senate representation has also fallen sharply.

Makinde has previously accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of pledging to undermine the PDP during a meeting with President Tinubu ahead of 2027, an allegation Wike has denied.

The Oyo governor has also publicly stated that he regrets supporting Tinubu in the 2023 election as part of the G5 governors and has ruled out backing the President’s re-election bid in 2027, citing concerns about the future of multiparty democracy.

Makinde’s visit to the President also followed controversy surrounding federal relief funds after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan. He clarified that although the Federal Government promised N50 billion in intervention funds, only N30 billion was released, with N4.5 billion paid directly to victims and the remainder used for reconstruction and security projects.

Despite ongoing speculation about his political future and possible presidential ambitions, Makinde reiterated that his focus remains governance and service to the people, not defection politics.