Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he will not support the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, distancing himself from plans allegedly proposed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Makinde made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He criticised Wike’s political stance, stressing that no individual has the right to dictate the political choices of others.

According to the governor, he was present at a meeting attended by President Tinubu, Wike, and other political leaders, where the former Rivers State governor openly declared his intention to “hold the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Tinubu” ahead of the 2027 elections.

Makinde said the statement came as a shock to him and made it clear that he would not be part of such an arrangement.

“Wike can support the president in 2027, but I will not,” Makinde stated.

He explained that his decision is driven by the need to protect Nigeria’s democracy, preserve the PDP as a viable opposition party, and prevent the country from sliding into a one-party system.

Makinde further clarified that President Tinubu did not ask Wike to make such a commitment on behalf of the PDP, adding that the offer was initiated solely by the FCT minister.

“I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu ahead of 2027, and I was in shock,” he said.

Naija News recalls that both Wike and Makinde were members of the G5 Governors who openly supported Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 elections.

However, following Tinubu’s victory, the political relationship between Wike and Makinde has deteriorated, with both leaders now backing different factions within the PDP.