Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he will not support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, openly distancing himself from the President despite their previous political alignment. The governor also called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to respect the rights of others within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to make independent political decisions.
Makinde made the remarks on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, where he addressed growing tensions within the PDP and commented on Wike’s reported pledge to support Tinubu’s re-election bid. According to Makinde, he was taken aback when Wike allegedly told the President he would “hold the PDP” for him ahead of 2027.
“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock. Wike can support the President in 2027, but I will not,” Makinde said.
The Oyo governor, a senior member of the PDP, recalled telling President Tinubu directly that he could not assist in organising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. He explained that his loyalty remains with the PDP and that crossing party lines would be against his political principles.
Makinde stressed that while Wike is entitled to support any candidate of his choice, such a decision should not be imposed on others within the party. He argued that internal disagreements over political alignment are at the heart of the ongoing crisis rocking the PDP.
“The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President for 2027. That’s fine; it is within his rights,” Makinde said. “But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, and that the PDP survives as well. He should allow us to make our own choices.”
He disclosed that attempts to resolve the matter privately failed, prompting him to confront Wike directly. From that point, Makinde said he resolved not to be associated with any arrangement that compromises the party’s independence.
Makinde emphasised that his immediate focus is safeguarding the survival of the PDP and preventing Nigeria from drifting towards a one-party system. He warned that internal intolerance could weaken democratic institutions and limit political plurality.
Beyond politics, the governor also spoke about his administration’s approach to poverty alleviation in Oyo State. He said the government would prioritise creating opportunities rather than distributing handouts. Citing the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SEFA) programme, Makinde explained that subsidies, such as discounted public transport for vulnerable groups, are designed to support productivity rather than dependency.
Makinde and Wike were both part of the G5 governors who supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election. His latest comments, however, underline deepening divisions within the PDP as political actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.
