• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed rumours suggesting that he plans to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amid the ongoing crisis within the party. Makinde said he remains firmly committed to the PDP and urged party members and supporters to disregard speculation about his possible defection. The governor noted that despite the internal divisions within the party - with one faction associated with him and another linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike - he has no intention of leaving the party. He also stated that the race to succeed him in 2027 is open to all interested aspirants, stressing that his support would go to candidates who demonstrate loyalty to the people of Oyo State and commitment to the development of the state rather than personal allegiance to him. Makinde made the remarks during an iftar organised by the state government for the Muslim Ummah at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. He assured aspirants that they were free to begin consultations and campaign activities, including the use of the PDP logo on campaign billboards, dismissing fears that the party structure in the state was being restricted. "I have been reading on social media that I am holding down some aspirants of the party who want to take over from me," Makinde said. "We have just broken the fast. You are now free to contest. Those who are interested can bring out their billboards, and for those that are bothered about the PDP, you can use the PDP logo. Nothing will happen." The governor also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make public the new Electoral Act reportedly signed into law by President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, political actors across the country need clarity on the law guiding electoral processes. "The election timetable is out and according to the timetable, I still have something to say about it. To be honest, as a governor of one of the 36 states in Nigeria, I am not sure of what they brought out as the Electoral Act. I haven't seen it or laid my hands on it," he said. "If I, as a governor, haven't seen the Electoral Act and I hear that two versions of it are in the public space, then they must let the entire country know. It is like a reference book for the 2027 elections. They should come clean." Makinde also expressed concern that multiple versions of other major legislations, including the new Tax Act, were reportedly circulating in the public domain. "Bring out the Electoral Act that was assented to by the president so that we can all work according to that Act. Two versions also exist for the new Tax Act, and I have not seen the official one," he said. "Help us appeal to those in charge to let us know which rule we are playing with." He reiterated that anyone interested in contesting the governorship position in Oyo State in 2027 should present themselves to the people and campaign on their vision for the state. "Those who are interested in becoming the governor of Oyo State come May 29, 2027 should come out, show their faces and sell themselves to the people of Oyo State," Makinde said. "Don't be loyal to Seyi Makinde. Be loyal to the people of Oyo State and to the development of the state, and you will have my support." Among those present at the iftar were the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Dauda Makanjuola; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabo Yerima; members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, members of the House of Representatives, government officials and religious leaders. Source: https://hallmarknews.com/2027-i-will-not-abandon-pdp-for-another-party-makinde/