Governor Makinde speaks on defecting to APC after meeting Tinubu as Fayose reveals details
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly dismissed talks suggesting he is planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made his position clear after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The governor addressed the issue on Thursday while interacting with journalists at the Presidential Villa.
His visit immediately sparked defection rumours, especially as Nigeria’s political space begins to warm up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde was asked directly if he was considering a move away from the PDP. He responded firmly, saying, “No, no, no. I’m comfortable in the PDP.”
Makinde explained that meetings across party lines should not be misinterpreted as plans to defect. He noted that national issues sometimes demand cooperation beyond party boundaries.
According to him, “And again, we may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach. Where it won’t be an issue of maybe APC talking alone or PDP talking alone, where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward, in the interest of our nation.
“So when you get to that junction, you need everybody on board.”
The governor’s comments came shortly after he met President Tinubu at the State House. The visit had triggered widespread speculation, with many linking it to possible political realignments.
However, Makinde insisted that dialogue with leaders from other parties should not be twisted into defection narratives. He maintained that his focus remains governance and national stability.
Meanwhile, a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has revealed possible details of the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
In a statement issued hours after Makinde visited the president at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Abuja, Fayose said the Oyo State governor, through his visit has demonstrated that he lacks the courage to face Tinubu alone
Recall that Makinde was at the Villa alongside the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang.
However, further analysing the visit, Fayose said the president had informed Makinde that he would only give him audience on official issues and nothing political.
His words, “The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he will listen to him.
“But if it had to do with politics and any claim that it was Wike that angered him to go on TV to accuse him (President) of plotting to turn the country to a one-party state, it is better to as usual, go on TV to say all he (Makinde) had to say.
“He was told pointedly that he can’t come to the closet on political matters to eat his words, while saying another thing to the public,” Fayose said.
The former Ekiti State governor also noted that the president outrightly informed Makinde that he was not expecting his support in the 2027 presidential election and vice versa.
“Lastly, the President made it clear to Makinde that Wike is someone whose support and consistency he (President) can’t deny or wished away. Therefore, if Makinde has issues with Wike, that is between the two of them, I should be left out of it.
“That’s why Makinde told the press that he’s comfortable in PDP. It’s because of the reality that there’s nothing for him in APC.
“And after this meeting, shouldn’t Makinde tell the people of Oyo State if he has returned the N30bn he admitted to have received from the Federal Government as intervention fund for the January 2023 Ibadan explosion?”, he queried.
