By Deborah Nnamdi
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained his decision not to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, warning that attempts to weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system.
Makinde spoke during a media chat in Ibadan on Tuesday, where he recounted a meeting he attended with President Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political figures. According to the governor, Wike offered during the meeting to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, an offer Makinde said was not requested by the President.
He noted that while Wike is entitled to support Tinubu, he has personally chosen a different path and believes Nigerians should be free to make independent political choices. Makinde cautioned that efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the Peoples Democratic Party could erode multiparty democracy, urging democrats to resist any move toward a one-party state.
Addressing speculation about his own political ambitions, Makinde said he has the experience and qualifications required to serve as Nigeria’s president in 2027. He cited his two-term tenure as governor of Oyo State, his executive leadership at the state level, and his professional background in the private sector, which he said began at the age of 29.
“I have heard people ask if I am positioning myself for the 2027 presidency. Let me make this clear: I am qualified. I am even overqualified. By the end of May 2027, by God’s grace, I would have completed two tenures as governor of Oyo State. Professionally, I ran a company from a very young age,” he said.
Makinde also spoke on the legacy he hopes to leave behind, stressing that building strong institutions is more important than focusing solely on physical infrastructure. He argued that while infrastructure projects may fade from public memory, strong systems ensure long-term development and effective governance.
Responding to allegations of land grabbing linked to the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project, the governor clarified that the 500-metre corridor for the project was officially gazetted on November 19, 2018, before his administration assumed office in May 2019. He explained that the 110-kilometre circular road is designed to ease traffic congestion in Ibadan, meet modern motorway standards, and function as an industrial and commercial corridor to boost the state’s economy.
On compensation for affected residents, Makinde said his administration is taking a humane approach by offering compensation even to individuals without formal land titles, provided they can show proof of residence to support resettlement efforts.
