Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reiterated his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he remains “comfortable” in the opposition party despite recent defections by some of its members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde made the statement on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, emphasising that his visit focused on national governance rather than partisan politics.
The governor, who addressed journalists shortly after the meeting, dismissed speculation that he might defect to the ruling party similar to other PDP leaders who have switched allegiance in recent weeks. “I am comfortable in the PDP,”
Makinde said, underlining his resolve to remain in the party he led to victory in Oyo State. He stressed that cooperation across party lines is sometimes necessary to address critical national issues but maintained that this does not equate to abandoning his political home.
Makinde explained that the discussions with President Tinubu were centred on governance matters, highlighting the importance of bipartisan engagement in tackling shared challenges like insecurity, poverty and development imperatives.
He said, “The President is the President of Nigeria, not just the President of the APC,” and that his visit was motivated by a desire to discuss issues of national importance rather than personal political alignment.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a wider wave of defections that has reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape, weakening the PDP’s presence in several states.
Despite this trend, Makinde has consistently rejected overtures to join the APC and has positioned himself as a staunch defender of opposition politics and democratic pluralism. He reiterated that Nigeria’s challenges require inclusive solutions that transcend narrow party interests.
Political analysts say Makinde’s stance reflects a broader effort among some opposition leaders to project stability and continuity within the PDP as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
His decision to remain in the party aligns with calls from stakeholders who believe that a strong opposition is essential for a functioning democracy and for holding the ruling party accountable.
Makinde’s comments also underscore the complicated dynamics within the PDP, where unity has been tested by defections and internal disagreements over strategy and leadership ahead of the next election cycle.
Despite these pressures, he maintained that upholding his party affiliation is consistent with his political convictions and responsibility to his constituents.
For urban political observers and PDP supporters, Makinde’s reaffirmation provides a measure of confidence that not all high-profile party members are abandoning the opposition.
His remarks point to a strategy that blends party loyalty with cross-party cooperation on matters of national importance, emphasising that governance and political identity can coexist.
