Oyo State Governor [Seyi Makinde](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seyi_Makinde) announced that his 2023 political partnership with President [Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) fell short of delivering the national unity, fairness and competent administration he had envisioned, expressing regret over his support for the president.
**Why did Makinde back Tinubu in 2023?**
Makinde explained that he chose to support Tinubu, then the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, because he believed the incoming government would unite capable Nigerians from all regions to tackle the country’s challenges, rather than governing along narrow partisan or regional lines.
**What expectations were set for the new administration?**
He said his hope was that the Tinubu government would prioritize national interest, promote cohesion, fairness and equal opportunity, especially after eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari, whose tenure he argued made a southern presidency a matter of equity.
**How did the disagreement with the PDP arise?**
According to Makinde, the rift began over the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) handling of its presidential candidacy and leadership structure ahead of the 2023 election. He and other dissatisfied governors felt that the selection of Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, as the PDP’s candidate, while Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North‑Central zone, remained party chairman, did not address concerns about regional balance.
**What steps were taken to resolve the internal PDP dispute?**
Makinde recounted that the aggrieved governors asked the PDP to replace Ayu with Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja. He described a meeting with Atiku in London where he urged the party leader to allow the change, but the request was not acted upon.
**Why did the governors turn to the APC?**
With the PDP stalemate unresolved, Makinde said an intermediary linked the group to the APC’s presidential hopeful. Although he had never dealt directly with Tinubu, he agreed to support the candidate based on assurances that a Tinubu‑led administration would rise above party divisions and assemble a competent, inclusive team.
**Did the Tinubu government meet those expectations?**
Makinde asserted that, despite repeated campaign statements emphasizing a government of national unity and competence, the current administration has not delivered on those promises. He questioned whether the government truly reflects national cohesion or competence, answering “no” to both.
**What specific incident deepened Makinde’s disappointment?**
He recalled that Tinubu asked him to suggest a nominee for the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Makinde proposed an Oyo indigene, but the president appointed another Oyo‑born politician, Adebayo Adelabu, as Minister of Power, reinforcing his concerns about the political understanding between them.
**Did Tinubu seek Makinde’s help within the APC?**
Makinde disclosed that the president expressed interest in having him organise the APC in Oyo State, an offer he declined, stating, “No, sir, I can never help you organise APC in Oyo State because I am of the PDP.”
**What is Makinde’s current political stance?**
In May 2026, Makinde announced his own presidential ambition under a coalition between the PDP and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), arguing that a strong opposition is essential to prevent Nigeria from sliding toward a one‑party system. He reiterated that his original support for Tinubu was rooted in the belief that the president would bring together capable people from across the nation to reset the country, a vision he now says has not materialised.
**Why does Makinde feel it is important to admit his regret?**
He defended his public admission, saying responsible leadership requires acknowledging mistakes and apologising when necessary. Makinde emphasized that no one can foresee the future perfectly and that political decisions sometimes yield unexpected outcomes, adding, “I’m also not afraid to apologise to people when I wrong them, because only God knows the end from the beginning.”