Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially dismissed rumors suggesting a planned move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), even as the political landscape shifts with several opposition figures joining the ruling fold.
The Governor addressed the issue on Wednesday, the 17th of December, 2025, in Abuja at the unveiling of ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’, a new book by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
During the event, Makinde was unequivocal about his political affiliation, stating: “I am not APC, and I am not about to become APC,” the governor declared.
Beyond his party stance, the Governor argued that Nigeria’s advancement is stalled by elite-driven friction rather than the will of the populace. He posited that the country’s progress is contingent upon genuine cooperation among leaders, regardless of their political labels.
According to Makinde, the social fractures seen across Nigeria are frequently manufactured by the political class to serve specific agendas. He observed that while the average Nigerian seeks a peaceful and unified nation, they are often pushed into religious, ethnic, or regional silos by those seeking power.
“Winner-Takes-All” Politics
Governor Makinde issued a stern warning against the “winner-takes-all” mentality that dominates the Nigerian political sphere, noting that such an approach leads to exclusion and a breakdown of national stability. He urged his peers to find common ground centered on effective governance rather than dwelling on historical animosities.
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Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of leadership, Makinde noted that political victory is often a matter of divine timing. To illustrate this, he drew a parallel between his journey and that of a former leader:
Both he and former President Muhammadu Buhari experienced electoral setbacks before eventually attaining office.
While acknowledging that previous generations of Nigerian leaders focused on healing a nation after the civil war, Makinde argued that modern challenges require a different blueprint. He advocated for a deliberate overhaul of the current governance framework to prioritize equity, inclusivity, and long-term stability.