By Ayo Kehinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dismissed allegations by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose regarding his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu, insisting the engagement was focused on governance rather than political confrontation.
The clarification followed a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Speaking with State House journalists shortly after, Makinde emphasized that his visit was strictly official.
“The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of the APC, and we are talking about governance here,” the Governor stated.
The meeting occurred amid claims by Fayose that the President had reprimanded Makinde over his political stance and his fractured relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Fayose further alleged that Tinubu had expressed a lack of expectation for Makinde’s support in 2027.
However, Makinde countered this narrative, describing his relationship with the President as “harmonious” and rooted in mutual respect for the “Nigerian project.”
Addressing rumors of a potential defection following the wave of opposition governors joining the ruling party, Makinde was emphatic about his political future. “No, I am comfortable in the PDP,” he declared.
He argued that certain national challenges, such as insecurity and poverty alleviation, require a bipartisan approach that transcends party lines.
The Governor revealed that the discussions centered on urgent development issues in Oyo State that required high-level federal intervention.
He maintained that leadership often necessitates direct engagement with the center, regardless of political affiliation, to ensure the welfare of the people
