OYO State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ruled out defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting his visit to President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, January 22, strictly centred on challenges of governance and national interest, as the President remains the leader of all Nigerians, not of APC or single political party.
Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after the meeting, Makinde said: “The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of the APC, and we are talking about governance.
“So, I came to discuss with the President on some governance issues, basically.”
He dismissed any speculation on defection, saying: “I am comfortable in the PDP. There’s nothing I have said in the past that suggests we are not enjoying a harmonious relationship.
“Politics is politics. We belong to different political parties, but Nigeria is a project that all Nigerians must be concerned about.”
Makinde stressed that issues, such as insecurity, poverty alleviation and the welfare of Nigerians transcend partisan politics and require collaboration among leaders at all levels of government.
“These are governance issues that have no party coloration. As leaders, whether President or governor, we must work together, consult one another and ensure that we can make life better for our people,” he noted.
The governor said Nigeria at times needs a bipartisan approach to solving national challenges and such cooperation should not be mistaken for partisan realignment.
“There are situations where it cannot be APC alone or PDP alone. When you get to that junction, you need everybody on board to determine the best way forward in the interest of our nation.”
He reitertated his commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, where necessary, while maintaining allegiance to his party and focused on delivering good governance to his people.
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