The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has played down reports suggesting he may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains firmly rooted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor spoke on Thursday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether he was considering a move to the APC, like some of his counterparts, Makinde said he was satisfied with his position in the opposition party.
“I am comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde said.
He added that there are times in a nation’s history when cooperation across party lines becomes necessary.
“There are moments in a country’s life when a bipartisan approach is required — not an APC-only or PDP-only conversation — but a collective effort focused on what is best for Nigeria.
“When we get to that point, we will need everyone on board.”
A series of defections has weakened the PDP’s grip at the state level, leaving the party with just four governors: Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Makinde of Oyo, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
Makinde recently reiterated that he would not back Tinubu’s re-election, citing concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria.
He also spoke on his fallout with Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), alleging that the former Rivers governor had vowed to “hold PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections without consulting key stakeholders within the party.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Makinde was a member of the G5 governors within the PDP who refused to support Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate.
Led by Wike, the G5 governors argued that the PDP’s presidential ticket should not come from the same region as the party’s national chairman.
Tinubu, who emerged as the APC candidate, won the presidential election in Oyo state, despite it being governed by the PDP.
Subsequently, the relationship between Makinde and Wike deteriorated, with both politicians engaged in a battle for control of the PDP’s party structures.