By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed speculations about a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the growing wave of defections of PDP governors to other political parties.
Makinde, while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, January 22, shortly after his visit to the Presidential Villa, said he remains comfortable in the opposition party.
The governor, in a video aired by the NTA, said his visit was in the interest of the nation, which sometimes requires a bipartisan approach.
Responding to questions on his political future, Makinde said, “No, no, no. I’m comfortable in the PDP.
“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.”
President Bola Tinubu held separate meetings with Makinde and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The two governors arrived at the State House separately at about 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with Mutfwang arriving first.
The meetings came amid ongoing political realignments as key stakeholders commence strategic consultations ahead of the 2027 general election.
Makinde, a member of the PDP, remains one of the few governors still in the party amid a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which saw the defections of eight governors in 2025 alone.
The governors still in the PDP are: Seyi Makinde of Oyo State (South-West), Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State (North-East), Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State (North-East), and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State (North-West).
These defections, with two occurring within 24 hours, further weakened the opposition party, especially in the South-East and South-South regions, which are considered its strongest hold.
