Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he will not support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, warning that attempts to weaken or destroy the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Makinde spoke during a media chat in Ibadan on Tuesday, where he expressed concern over what he described as moves by elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to undermine opposition parties.
He cautioned that such actions could lead to the erosion of democratic values and open the door to a one-party system.
The governor recounted a meeting attended by President Tinubu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and other political figures.
He said he was shocked when Wike volunteered during the meeting to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election. Makinde clarified that the president did not ask Wike to make such a pledge.
While stressing that Wike is free to support any candidate of his choice, Makinde said he had decided to take a different path. He maintained that every Nigerian should be allowed to make independent political decisions without pressure or manipulation.
Makinde criticised the Tinubu administration for failing to form what he described as a government of national unity and competence. He said this failure was one of the reasons he regretted supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
The governor admitted that his decision to back Tinubu, despite belonging to a different party, did not deliver the national reset he had hoped for. Makinde was one of five PDP governors, known as the G5, who worked against the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in 2023 over zoning disagreements.
Explaining his actions at the time, Makinde said he believed supporting Tinubu was in the national interest. He said he genuinely thought Tinubu would bring competent Nigerians together across party lines to address the country’s challenges.
“Unfortunately, that is not what we are seeing. I regret that action,” Makinde said, adding that Tinubu would not enjoy his support in 2027.
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He also spoke about his interactions with the president at the start of the administration, saying Tinubu asked him to nominate someone for the position of Minister of Economic Planning. Makinde said his nominee was not selected and was instead appointed Minister of Power.
Makinde said he later told the president that if the appointment was meant to help organise the APC in Oyo State, the minister lacked the capacity to do so.
He added that Tinubu responded by saying he wanted to help Makinde organise the APC in the state, an offer the governor said he rejected because he belongs to the PDP.
On his political future, Makinde said he has the experience and qualifications to serve as Nigeria’s president if called upon. He pointed to his record as a two-term governor and his professional background in the private sector, where he said he successfully ran a company from a young age.
Makinde said his focus remains on leaving a lasting legacy built on strong institutions rather than just physical projects.
He explained that his administration prioritises systems that promote good governance, sustainable development, and long-term growth.
Defending his government over allegations of land grabbing linked to the Ibadan Circular Road project, Makinde said the 500-metre corridor for the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road was gazetted in November 2018, before he assumed office.
He said his administration merely commenced work on an already approved project.
He added that the 110-kilometre circular road is designed to ease traffic congestion in Ibadan and support industrial and commercial growth.
Makinde said his government is also compensating affected residents, including those without formal land documents, as part of a humane resettlement process.
The Tribune
