Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has restated his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing rumours that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor addressed the speculation on Thursday after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, a visit that quickly triggered political discussions.
“I Am Comfortable in the PDP”
When asked by journalists if he intended to join the APC like some governors, Makinde gave a firm response.
“I am comfortable in the PDP,” he said.
He clarified that his meeting with the president should not be interpreted as a move to abandon his party.
Call for Bipartisan National Effort
Makinde explained that national challenges sometimes require cooperation beyond party boundaries, stressing that such engagement does not equal defection.
“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,” he said.
He added, “When we get to that point, we will need everyone on board.”
PDP Loses Ground as Defections Rise
The governor’s remarks come at a time when the PDP has suffered several defections, reducing its influence at the state level.
The party currently has only four governors: Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
Makinde Rules Out Support for Tinubu in 2027
Despite his interaction with President Tinubu, Makinde has openly stated that he will not support the president’s re-election bid.
He previously cited concerns about “the survival of democracy in Nigeria” as the reason for his position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Disagreement With Wike Over PDP Direction
Makinde also spoke about his strained relationship with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor.
According to him, Wike had vowed to “hold PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections without consulting other key stakeholders within the party.
This move, Makinde suggested, deepened divisions within the PDP.
G5 Governors and 2023 Election Fallout
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Makinde was part of the influential G5 governors within the PDP who refused to back the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The group, led by Wike, argued that the PDP’s presidential candidate should not come from the same region as the party’s national chairman.
Despite Oyo being governed by the PDP, Tinubu, the APC candidate, won the presidential election in the state.
Power Struggle Within the PDP
Following the elections, the relationship between Makinde and Wike further deteriorated, with both politicians battling for control of the PDP’s internal structures.
As political realignments continue, Makinde insists his priority remains governance and national interest, while maintaining his position firmly within the PDP.
Watch the video here…
I am comfortable in the PDP, Seyi Makinde after meeting Tinubu in Aso Rock today. https://t.co/4TOJCtII8h pic.twitter.com/NfcRcqXtRW
— Bishop of the Diocese of Oyo (@hon_ags) January 22, 2026