Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that he will not support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, citing concerns about the survival of democracy and the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde made the remarks during a media chat at the Government House in Ibadan, addressing a political disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The rift arose after Wike reportedly told President Tinubu that Makinde would “hold PDP” for him ahead of the 2027 election—a statement Makinde said was made without the consent of other party stakeholders.

“I was in a meeting with the President and Wike, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027,” Makinde recalled. “So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”

While acknowledging that Wike has the right to support Tinubu, Makinde emphasized that other party members also have the right to defend democracy and ensure the survival of the PDP.

“The real issue is that Wike would like to support the President in 2027, that’s fine, but some of us want democracy to survive in Nigeria. We don’t want a one-party state, and we want to ensure that PDP survives,” Makinde said.

The governor further explained that President Tinubu did not request Wike’s commitment on his behalf, describing it as an unsolicited move. Attempts to persuade Wike to reconsider were unsuccessful, prompting Makinde to distance himself from supporting the President.

“That is why I will never support the President for 2027. Wike can support him; it is within his right, but it is also within my right to determine who I will support or what I will do in 2027,” Makinde concluded.