Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has confirmed that he remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing speculation that he might join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid recent defections by some of his colleagues.
The governor made this clear following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Asked whether he was considering switching parties like other PDP governors, Makinde stated firmly, “I am comfortable in the PDP.”
Makinde highlighted the need for a cross-party approach to solving Nigeria’s challenges, insisting that effective governance requires input from all political parties rather than dominance by a single party.
“We may face issues where you need a bipartisan approach, where it won’t be APC talking alone or PDP talking alone. We have to look at the best foot forward in the interest of our nation. So, when you reach that point, you need everyone on board,” he said.
Makinde arrived at the Presidential Villa shortly after Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC. Both governors were received separately before proceeding to meet the President.
The Oyo governor was a key member of the G5, a group of five PDP governors who opposed the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general election.
The G5 argued that the PDP had violated its informal zoning arrangement by presenting a northern candidate after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, also from the North.
The group maintained that political power should rotate to the South to ensure fairness and national cohesion. During the 2023 presidential election, Makinde and other G5 members openly worked against Atiku’s candidacy, backing Tinubu, who ultimately won the election.
Other members of the G5 included former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Makinde’s visit to the president comes at a time when defections from the PDP to the APC have intensified, signalling a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
However, Makinde reiterated his commitment to the PDP, emphasising that collaboration across party lines is crucial to effectively address Nigeria’s economic, social, and security challenges.
