Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed regret over his decision to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, acknowledging that his backing did not yield the results he anticipated.
The governor made the revelation on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the Government House in Ibadan.
Makinde was among five Peoples Democratic Party governors, known as the G5, who openly worked against their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 elections.
The group, led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, opposed Atiku’s candidacy on the grounds of zoning, insisting that the PDP should have presented a southern candidate after former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, completed his two-term tenure.
Reflecting on his decision to support Tinubu, then the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Makinde explained that he acted in the hope that Tinubu would prioritize national interest if elected.
“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” he said.
Makinde further added that he had expected the president to “reset the country” and bring together capable individuals from all regions to tackle Nigeria’s challenges.
“But unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing. I regret that action. Yes, I do,” the governor admitted.
Highlighting his concerns about democratic stability and the future of the PDP, Makinde affirmed that he would not lend his support to President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He also revealed the cause of his political disagreement with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Makinde said the tension arose when Wike, during a meeting with Tinubu, stated that he would “hold PDP” for the President ahead of 2027, a claim Makinde said was made without consulting other party members.
“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,” he recounted. “So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”
While acknowledging Wike’s right to support Tinubu’s re-election, Makinde emphasized that other PDP members also have the right to defend the party and oppose any action that could undermine democratic pluralism.
