Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party, declaring his comfort in the opposition party despite a growing wave of high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“No, I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde told journalists after closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
The Oyo governor emphasised that his visit to the President was focused on governance matters affecting the nation rather than party political considerations.
“The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of APC. And we’re talking about governance here.
“So I came to discuss with the President on some governance issues, basically,” Makinde said.
When pressed on whether recent public friction with other PDP stakeholders and his trip to meet the President signalled a shift toward the ruling party, Makinde affirmed that he was comfortable in his party.
The governor stressed that while he was willing to work with the President on matters of national interest, his party allegiance remained unwavering.
He argued that maintaining a strong opposition was essential to Nigeria’s democratic health, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“We may have issues in this country where you need bipartisan approach, where it won’t be an issue of maybe APC talking alone or PDP talking alone. When you get to that junction, you need everybody on board,” Makinde said.
He argued that harmonious relations with the ruling party on governance matters did not constitute a departure from PDP principles.
Makinde noted that leaders had a responsibility to work together on issues transcending party lines, particularly matters of national security and poverty alleviation.
“There’s nothing that I’ve said in the past that says we’re not enjoying a harmonious relationship. You know, politics is politics.
“We belong to different political parties. But Nigeria is a project that all Nigerians must be concerned about, the welfare of our people,” he said.
The governor added, “Those are things that have no coloration of a party. As leaders, whether President or governor of a state, those are things that we have to work together, consult with one another, and ensure that we can make life one shade better for our people.”
The governor’s statement comes as the PDP faces its most significant challenge since 2015, with governors, senators, and other high-profile members abandoning the party for the ruling APC or other platforms.
Since 2025, the opposition has experienced unprecedented defections to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In April 2025, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected to the APC alongside his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP structure in the state. Okowa, who was the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, cited the need to align with the federal government to access resources for development.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno formally joined the APC in June 2025, stating he could not guarantee electoral victory under the PDP.
In October, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah announced his defection, describing President Tinubu as “a partner in purpose.”
By year-end, additional governors had switched allegiances.
These include the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke who on December 9, 2025, moved to the Accord in December, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara defected to the APC in the same month.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, also defected from the PDP to the APC later in December.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri had joined the APC in November of 2025, citing what he called the “terminal decline” of the PDP.
The PDP now controls four states; Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, and Zamfara, down from 16 states it controlled in 2015.
Senate representation has also declined from 36 members at the 2023 inauguration to 23 by the end of 2025.
Makinde had previously alleged that Wike, during a private meeting with President Tinubu, promised to “hold down the PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 elections.
He recounted that Wike made the statement without prior consultation or the consent of other PDP stakeholders, an action that, he said, shocked him and prompted him to immediately confront Wike upon leaving the meeting.
“Wike can support him, and that is within his right. But it is equally my right to decide who I will support and what role I will play in 2027,” Makinde has previously stated, emphasising that he views the former Rivers Governor’s approach as a threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Wike has denied making any such pledge, describing Makinde’s account as “a blatant lie.”
He said the meeting was a routine visit by G-5 governors to discuss state matters with the President, and that Makinde had kept silent about the discussion for months before public allegations.
Wike, while serving as FCT Minister in an APC-led government, has remained a PDP member.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said on December 23, 2025 that he regrets backing President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, despite being a PDP governor and part of the G5 group that opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. He also said Tinubu will not have his support in 2027, citing concerns about the survival of multiparty democracy and alleging attempts to weaken the PDP.
He also indicated he will not support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing concerns about the administration’s policies and what he views as attempts to weaken the opposition.
The governor has been widely believed to be nursing presidential ambitions for 2027.
Makinde’s meeting with the President also comes amid allegations surrounding the Federal Government’s relief intervention following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose publicly alleged that Makinde received N50bn from the FG as relief funds but had not fully accounted for the disbursement.
Makinde clarified that while the FG promised N50bn, only N30bn was actually released.
He said he used N4.5bn to provide direct support to explosion victims and the remainder for reconstruction efforts including road repairs, security upgrades, and memorial plans.
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