Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has dismissed speculation about defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following his visit to the Presidential Villa, emphasizing his continued commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while advocating cross-party collaboration on national challenges.
Speaking to State House correspondents after his discussions with President Bola Tinubu, Makinde clarified that the engagement focused on governance rather than partisan politics.
“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,” he said.
Asked whether his visit indicated improved relations with the APC, Makinde insisted that no rift existed. “Politics is politics. We belong to different political parties, but Nigeria is a project that all Nigerians must be concerned about — welfare of our people, governance issues, insecurity, poverty alleviation,” he explained.
Makinde stressed that such issues go beyond party lines, urging leaders to work together for the public good. “These are things that have no coloration of a party. As leaders, whether president or governor, we have to consult with one another and ensure we can make life better for our people,” he added.
Addressing defections by some PDP colleagues to the APC, Makinde firmly ruled out any personal consideration. “No. I’m comfortable in the PDP. There may be issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach, and when that junction comes, you need everybody on board,” he declared.
