Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he will not support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, while urging former ally and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to allow others freely make their political choices
Makinde made this known on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, where he expressed surprise over claims that Wike had promised to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu 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 PDP governor recalled telling Tinubu that he could not assist in organising the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. “I said, no, sir, I can never help you organise the APC in Oyo state because I am of the PDP,” he explained.
Makinde stressed that while Wike has the right to support Tinubu, others should also be allowed to take independent political positions.
“The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President for 2027. That’s fine; it is within his rights. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, and that PDP survives as well. he should allow us to make our own choices,” he said.
He added that attempts to resolve the matter quietly failed, forcing him to confront Wike directly. “I tried to engage him through a mutual friend, but when he did not back off, I confronted him directly. From that day, I made it clear I would never be part of this. Wike can support him, but it is also within my right to decide who I will support or what I will do in 2027. This explains the current conflict within the PDP.”
Makinde reiterated that preserving the PDP and Nigeria’s democratic space remains his priority. “Some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, we don’t drift into a one-party state. And we want to ensure that PDP survives. It should also allow us to do our own thing,” he said.
Shifting attention to governance, the governor said his administration is focused on empowerment rather than handouts as a strategy to fight poverty.
“We will not give people handouts in Oyo State, but rather, create a conducive environment for them to thrive,” Makinde stated.
He highlighted the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SEFA) programme, noting that subsidies are designed to support productivity.
“For those 20,000 people using our pay sector transport company, the vulnerable ones, students, elderly, physically challenged, they pay a discounted price, half the price. But that $100 million is subsidising productivity. You’re not going to just get on the bus for a ride because it’s half price. You get on the bus because you’re going somewhere important, likely to yield something productive,” he said.
Makinde and Wike were both part of the PDP bloc that supported Tinubu during the 2023 elections, but his remarks highlight growing divisions within the party as 2027 approaches.
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