The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed speculation linking him with a possible switch to the All Progressives Congress, saying he remains firmly rooted in the Peoples Democratic Party despite recent defections by some opposition governors.
The governor said narratives suggesting an imminent defection were misplaced, stressing that Nigeria’s advancement requires cooperation across party lines rather than constant political realignments driven by elite interests and personal ambition.
Makinde argued that ordinary Nigerians largely desire peaceful coexistence and unity, but are frequently divided along religious, ethnic and regional lines by political actors seeking advantage, warning that such divisions weaken national cohesion.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, a book written by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, where he addressed questions about his political future.
“I am not APC, and I am not about to become APC,” Makinde said, cautioning against a “winner-takes-all” approach to politics, which he noted promotes exclusion and undermines efforts to build an inclusive and stable federation.
Reflecting on leadership and political timing, the governor said success in public office is shaped by divine timing and perseverance, recalling that figures such as himself and former President Muhammadu Buhari lost elections before eventually attaining power years later.
Makinde added that while Nigeria’s early leaders were consumed with unifying a post-war nation, current challenges demand fresh solutions, urging political elites to build consensus around governance reforms, fairness and long-term national stability.
