Makinde Dismisses APC Defection Rumours, Vows to Remain in PDP
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has firmly dismissed speculations that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the lingering leadership crisis within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Makinde spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of a book titled Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, authored by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Addressing dignitaries drawn across party lines, the governor stated that he had no intention of joining the APC or aligning with any PDP governor who have defected to the ruling party.
“I am not APC, and I am not about to become APC,” Makinde declared, drawing applause from the audience.
The governor stressed that Nigeria’s progress depends largely on sincere collaboration among leaders across political divides, rather than opportunistic defections driven by personal interests.
He accused the political elite of fuelling the country’s deepening divisions, arguing that many of the fault lines in the polity are products of elite ambitions rather than the genuine desires of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, most Nigerians yearn for unity, peace and coexistence, but lamented that these aspirations are often manipulated along religious, ethnic and regional lines by political actors seeking personal advantage.
Makinde further criticised the entrenched “winner-takes-all” mentality in Nigerian politics, warning that it promotes exclusion and weakens national cohesion.
He called for deliberate efforts to rethink political and governance structures in ways that promote fairness, inclusiveness and long-term stability, insisting that such reforms are essential for building a more united and progressive nation.
Abiodun Ogunrinde is a Linguist and Journalist with considerable years of experience in Print Journalism. He blends creativity with a sense of reporting that addresses public concern and human interests.
