Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has firmly dismissed rumors that he intends to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the ongoing leadership challenges the opposition party faces.
Makinde made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of a book titled ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration,’ authored by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
Speaking to an audience of political leaders and dignitaries from various parties, the governor emphasized that he does not plan to follow any PDP governors who have defected to the ruling party. “I am here for this book launch. I am not an APC member and I am not about to port to APC,” Makinde stated.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s development can only be realized through genuine collaboration among leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, and cautioned that partisan rivalry should not overshadow the nation’s collective interests.
The governor attributed the country’s increasing divisions to the ambitions of political elites, arguing that these divisions do not represent the desires of ordinary Nigerians. According to him, most citizens seek unity and peaceful coexistence, but these aspirations are often manipulated along religious, ethnic, and regional lines for personal and political gain.
Makinde also criticized the “winner-takes-all” approach to politics, stating that it fosters exclusion and undermines national cohesion. He called for deliberate efforts to create political and governance structures that promote fairness, inclusion, and long-term stability.
His remarks come in the context of internal disagreements and leadership disputes that have plagued the PDP since its loss of power at the federal level. The party has recently experienced heightened tensions over control of its national structures, zoning arrangements, and preparations for future elections, leading to speculation about potential defections by some of its prominent members.
Meanwhile, the APC has seen several high-profile defections from opposition parties, including governors and lawmakers, which has bolstered its dominance at the national level. These shifts have intensified political calculations throughout the country, particularly among opposition leaders contemplating their political futures ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
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