Newly re-elected governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has declared that he never contemplated defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He has thus cleared the air on a speculation that he is planning to defect from the ruling PDP into the main opposition party in the state, Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the clarification while speaking after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, declared him as the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The Oyo State helmsman had a resounding victory at the governorship election, held on Saturday, ensuring his return to the Agodi Government House.
The speculation became rife following the disaffection between the G-5 governors and the national leadership of the PDP in the build up to the 2023 elections.
It was speculated that there was an agreement that Makinde would work to ensure the success of the then APC presidential candidate (now President-elect), Senator Bola Tinubu, at the 25 February presidential election.
It was also rumoured that, in return, Tinubu agreed to work for the success of Makinde at the governorship election, while the latter will defect into the APC thereafter.
However, Makinde said he has never contemplated defecting from the ruling PDP into the main opposition party in the state.
He said he was surprised by the speculation, adding that, as a PDP governor who has been in the saddle for almost four years, he never for once contemplated leaving the party.
Makinde, who said his political future is in God’s hands, also pledged to support and work in alliance with the President-elect, Senator Bola Tinubu.
“Well, I spent nearly four years as a PDP governor in Oyo State, working with the APC led-FG and I did not defect then.
“So, I really don’t know what is driving that assertion. But my political future is in God’s hands.
“Just like this election, I said to people that cared to listen that I came into this government without a god-father and because I have God the father, with the support of the people, we will prevail. And that was exactly what happened on Saturday.
“I will, as the governor of Oyo State, work with the President-elect. We will continue to work towards ensuring that Nigeria is united.
“We will make sure Nigeria is on the path of inclusivity. We will work with passion to create value in our country, Nigeria,” Makinde declared.
The governor added that the G-5 group will continue to obey PDP Constitution and work towards achieving unity, justice and inclusiveness.
Makinde is the only sitting governor-member of the PDP G-5 as the arrowhead, Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers State), did not contest for any elective post in the 2023 elections.
The other three governor-members of the group, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), all lost out in the senatorial election in their respective states.
