Governor Makinde Breaks Silence on Defecting to APC After Meeting Tinubu

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly dismissed talks suggesting he is planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made his position clear after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

The governor addressed the issue on Thursday while interacting with journalists at the Presidential Villa.

His visit immediately sparked defection rumours, especially as Nigeria’s political space begins to warm up ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a televised clip monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, Makinde was asked directly if he was considering a move away from the PDP. He responded firmly, saying, “No, no, no. I’m comfortable in the PDP.”

Makinde explained that meetings across party lines should not be misinterpreted as plans to defect. He noted that national issues sometimes demand cooperation beyond party boundaries.

According to him, “And again, we may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach. Where it won’t be an issue of maybe APC talking alone or PDP talking alone, where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward, in the interest of our nation.

“So when you get to that junction, you need everybody on board.”

The governor’s comments came shortly after he met President Tinubu at the State House. The visit had triggered widespread speculation, with many linking it to possible political realignments.

On the same day, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also visited the Presidential Villa. The two governors arrived separately, with Mutfwang arriving earlier in the afternoon. Their meetings formed part of ongoing consultations involving key political actors across the country.

Makinde is currently serving his second term as governor of Oyo State. He remains one of the prominent figures still holding the PDP structure in the South-West, at a time when the opposition party is battling internal disagreements and losing members to the ruling APC.

His political relevance has continued to attract attention, particularly amid talks that he may be interested in playing a bigger role at the national level in 2027. While he has not made any formal declaration, his actions and influence within the PDP are closely watched.

However, Makinde insisted that dialogue with leaders from other parties should not be twisted into defection narratives. He maintained that his focus remains governance and national stability.

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