In a move that may deepen the cracks within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly declared that he will not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The governor made the declaration during a live media chat on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Makinde, who is widely regarded as one of the most strategic voices in the PDP, used the opportunity to subtly criticise the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his political alignment with the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
While speaking on his early life and rise in business, Makinde said, “At 29, I got my first major contract with Mobil worth $1 million. At that time, Wike had probably just finished law school.”
The comment was seen as a veiled response to Wike’s perceived dominance in national politics and his role in aligning with the APC despite still being a PDP member.
As the 2027 race gradually takes shape, the battle lines within both the ruling APC and the PDP are becoming more defined, with Makinde’s declaration setting the tone for future political confrontations.
Governor Makinde’s statement comes amid increasing speculation about internal realignments in the PDP, especially among members of the G5 Governors, a group of five PDP governors who openly opposed the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election.
While Wike, a member of the G5, has gone on to serve as a minister under the Tinubu administration, Makinde appears to be charting a different course. His refusal to support President Tinubu in the next general election signals a sharp divergence from his former ally.
“2027 is not about sentiment. It’s about performance and what is right for the country. I will stand by what aligns with the progress of Nigeria,” Makinde said.
Political observers believe Makinde’s stance could influence other PDP members in the South-West, especially given his strong hold on Oyo State politics. His comment also reignites the debate about loyalty and ideology within the PDP, with growing concerns about members who appear to be working with the ruling APC.
Makinde, who is serving his second and final term as governor, has yet to declare any personal political ambition for 2027. However, his comments suggest he will play an active role in shaping the next electoral contest — possibly as a rallying figure for opposition unity.
