Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that he will not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general election, citing concerns over the survival of democracy, the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the danger of Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state.
Makinde made the declaration on Tuesday during a press briefing in Ibadan, where he openly distanced himself from plans by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to mobilise PDP support for President Tinubu ahead of 2027.
The Oyo State governor stated that while individuals are free to make personal political choices, no one has the authority to impose such decisions on others.
“Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not”, Makinde said.
Makinde disclosed that he was present at a meeting involving President Tinubu, Wike and other political stakeholders when the former Rivers State governor allegedly volunteered to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu’s re-election.
“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”, the governor revealed.
According to Makinde, President Tinubu did not request such support from the PDP, stressing that the move was solely initiated by Wike.
The governor warned that attempts to weaken opposition parties in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would undermine democratic pluralism in the country.
“My position is about ensuring that democracy survives, that the PDP remains strong and viable and that Nigeria does not slide into a one-party state”, he said.
Makinde also criticised what he described as political intolerance, insisting that no individual should dictate the political direction of others within or outside the PDP.
The development further emphasizes the widening rift between Makinde and Wike, both of whom were key members of the G5 governors who opposed the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and supported Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
Following Tinubu’s victory, relations between the two influential PDP figures reportedly deteriorated, with both men now aligned with opposing factions within the party.
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Sunday Solarin told Premier World News that Makinde’s stance signals an early repositioning ahead of 2027 and reflects growing internal resistance within the PDP against cross-party alliances perceived to weaken the opposition.
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