Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly explained why he will not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
He said his decision is driven by concerns over the future of Nigeria’s democracy and the survival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor made his position clear during a media interaction at the Government House in Ibadan on Tuesday.
During the session, Makinde spoke at length on the deepening political disagreement between him and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, especially as it relates to the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde revealed that the disagreement started during a meeting attended by President Tinubu, Wike, and other political figures.
According to him, Wike made a declaration that had far-reaching implications for the PDP without consulting party stakeholders.
“I was in a meeting with the President and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027,” Makinde said.
The governor explained that he was shocked by the statement and immediately challenged it, as no such agreement had been reached within the party.
“So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?” he added.
Makinde stated that while Wike has the personal right to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, he does not have the authority to commit the entire PDP to such a position.
He stressed that other party leaders are equally entitled to protect the party’s interests and Nigeria’s democratic structure.
“The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President in 2027, that’s fine, it’s within his right to do that,” he said.
He warned, however, that such actions could weaken political opposition in the country.
“But also some of us that want democracy to survive in Nigeria, we don’t drift into a one-party state, and we want to ensure that PDP survives, he should also allow us to do our own thing,” Makinde added.
The Oyo governor further clarified that President Tinubu did not request Wike’s declaration, describing it as a personal move rather than an instruction from the President.
“The President did not ask him; do this for me, he was the one who volunteered that I would do this,” Makinde said.
He disclosed that attempts were made to resolve the issue privately, but Wike refused to reverse his position. This, he said, forced him to clearly distance himself from the move.
“After he didn’t back off, I told him from that day that I would never be part of this,” Makinde stated.
Makinde concluded by reaffirming his independence and right to make political choices ahead of the 2027 elections. He stressed that no individual can dictate his political direction.
“That is why I will never support the President for 2027. Wike can support him; it is within his right, but it is also within my right within the political space to determine who I will support or what I will do in 2027,” he said.
That sounds pretty personal