Makinde Rules Out APC Defection, Reaffirms Loyalty to PDP Amid Political Realignments

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has firmly dismissed speculations suggesting that he plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging continued loyalty to his party despite its internal leadership challenges. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Governor Makinde said he had no intention of joining the APC, even as political realignments continue to reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape.

Makinde made the remarks at the public presentation of a book titled Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, authored by a former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The event drew political leaders, former public office holders, and dignitaries from across party lines.

Makinde’s Position on Party Loyalty and National Unity

Addressing the audience, Governor Makinde stated unequivocally that he remains a member of the PDP and is not considering a move to the APC. He said his presence at the book launch should not be misinterpreted as a political signal, stressing that he was attending purely in honour of the author and the occasion.

The Oyo governor noted that Nigeria’s progress depends less on party defections and more on sincere collaboration among leaders across political divides. According to him, partisan rivalry should not be allowed to override the collective national interest or undermine efforts aimed at national development.

Makinde also attributed the country’s growing divisions to the ambitions of political elites, arguing that such divisions often do not reflect the true desires of ordinary Nigerians. Makinde said most citizens favour unity and peaceful coexistence, but these values are frequently manipulated along religious, ethnic, and regional lines for political advantage.

Criticism of Political Culture and PDP Challenges

The governor criticised what he described as the “winner-takes-all” approach to politics, saying it encourages exclusion and weakens national cohesion. He called for deliberate efforts to design political and governance structures that promote fairness, inclusion, and long-term stability.

Makinde’s comments come at a time when the PDP continues to grapple with internal disagreements and leadership disputes following its loss of power at the federal level. The party has witnessed heightened tensions over control of its national structures, zoning arrangements, and preparations for future elections, developments that have fuelled speculation about possible defections by prominent members.

In contrast, the APC has benefitted from several high-profile defections from opposition parties, including governors and lawmakers, consolidating its dominance at the national level. These shifts have intensified political calculations across the country, particularly among opposition leaders assessing their political futures ahead of forthcoming electoral contests.

Book Launch, Buhari Tribute, and Reflections on Governance

In his remarks at the event, Alhaji Lai Mohammed explained that the book launch was deliberately scheduled to coincide with what would have been the 83rd birthday of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. He said the launch date was moved from December 6, his own birthday, to December 17 in honour of Buhari, describing it as the first posthumous birthday of the former president.

Mohammed revealed that he dedicated the first chapter of the book to Buhari, noting that the late president had written the foreword to his earlier book, Witness to History, published 13 years ago. He said the new book documents his tenure as Nigeria’s longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture, covering information management, national orientation, culture, and tourism.

According to the former minister, the book addresses major issues such as government communication during elections, the restoration of the National Theatre, the $9.6 billion P&ID arbitration case, the repatriation of stolen artefacts, and efforts to counter misinformation surrounding Boko Haram and the Bring Back Our Girls movement. He emphasised that the work aims to provide context, correct misconceptions, and preserve firsthand accounts for historical record.

The event featured goodwill messages from several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Marwa (retd.), who described the book as a valuable reference for students and a contribution to meaningful civil discourse. Governor Makinde also congratulated Mohammed, urging leaders to document their perspectives in order to enrich Nigeria’s historical record.

The launch was attended by notable figures, including representatives of the late President Buhari’s family, Halima and Yusuf Buhari, former Osun State Governor Adebisi Akande, the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, among others.