Key Points

• Makinde says he is not leaving the PDP despite recent defections

• He says Nigeria needs leaders from different parties to work together

• His meeting with Tinubu does not mean he plans to join the APC

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he is not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, despite recent defections from the party.

Makinde spoke on Thursday after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“I Am Comfortable In The PDP”

When reporters asked if he was also planning to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Makinde made his position clear.

“I am comfortable in the PDP,” he said.

The governor explained that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved by one party alone. He said there are times when leaders from different political parties must work together for the good of the country.

“There are issues where we need everyone on board. It should not be APC alone or PDP alone. We must look at what is best for Nigeria,” he said.

Makinde arrived at Aso Villa shortly after Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who recently left the PDP for the APC. The two governors were received separately before meeting the president.

Background Of G5 Governors

Makinde was part of the G5 group of PDP governors who opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 elections.

The group said the PDP broke its zoning agreement by choosing another northern candidate after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also from the North. They argued that power should move to the South for fairness and unity.

During the 2023 election, Makinde and other G5 members openly worked against Atiku and supported Tinubu, who later won the election.

Other members of the G5 were former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.