The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the move would enable the state to align more closely with the Federal Government.
Goronyo made the call on Monday during the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the event by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Makinde, who is seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), was absent from the ceremony.
While addressing the gathering, Goronyo commended Abiodun for what he described as his contributions to the development of Ogun State and the wider region.
He also praised the APC-led Federal Government for accelerating infrastructure development across the country.
“The central train of development is moving fast under our progressive banner,” the minister said.
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Goronyo subsequently appealed to Makinde to join the ruling party, describing the proposed defection as an opportunity for Oyo State to establish closer ties with the Federal Government under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I therefore warmly welcome and openly invite His Excellency the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Engineer Seyi Makinde, to take the natural giant step into the All Progressives Congress, the APC,” he said.
“Come and align Oyo State fully with the centre under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Makinde is currently pursuing his presidential ambition on the APM platform ahead of the 2027 general election, as political realignments intensify across the country.
The minister’s invitation came against the backdrop of the commencement of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road dualisation project, which is expected to improve connectivity between Ibadan in Oyo State and Ijebu in Ogun State.
The project is also expected to strengthen transportation links and facilitate economic activities between communities along the corridor.
The flag-off ceremony attracted several political and government officials, including the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Noimat Salako; and Sharafdeen Abiodun Ali, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State.
Goronyo’s appeal adds to the growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, with the APC seeking to consolidate its influence across the states while opposition parties and emerging political platforms position themselves for the presidential and governorship contests.