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.