Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reacted to rumours about a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following recent defections of some opposition governors to the ruling party.
Makinde made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of the book Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, authored by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
“I am not APC, and I am not about to become APC,” the governor declared. He stressed that Nigeria’s progress depends on sincere collaboration among leaders across political divides to advance the country.
Makinde argued that the country’s growing divisions are largely driven by the ambitions of political elites rather than the will of ordinary citizens.
According to him, most Nigerians desire unity and coexistence but are often manipulated along religious, ethnic, and regional lines by politicians pursuing personal interests.
He cautioned against the “winner-takes-all” mentality in politics, noting that it fuels exclusion and undermines national cohesion.
The governor emphasised the need for an elite consensus focused on good governance and addressing contemporary challenges, rather than recycling old political fault lines.
Drawing from personal experience, Makinde noted that political success is ultimately determined by God and timing. He recounted how key political figures, including himself and former President Muhammadu Buhari, faced electoral losses before eventually attaining office years later.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical challenges, Makinde observed that while the nation’s early leaders were preoccupied with uniting a post-war country, today’s issues are different and require new solutions.
He called for deliberate efforts to design political and governance systems that promote fairness, inclusion, and stability.
