Makinde, Defected PDP Governor, Meet Tinubu Amid N30b Saga
- President Tinubu meets Oyo's Makinde and Plateau's Mutfwang amid strategic political alignments ahead of 2027 elections
- Allegations arise against Makinde regarding ungratefulness over N50 billion relief fund; he denies and clarifies financial details
- Political reactions from Nigerians highlight divided opinions on Makinde's governance and the ruling APC's influence
President Bola Tinubu is reportedly holding separate meetings with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo and his counterpart in Plateau, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Caleb Mutfwang, at the presidential villa in Abuja.
The two governors were said to have arrived at the presidential villa separately. The Plateau governor was said to have arrived at the State House around 3:00 p.m, while Makinde came at about 3:30 p.m.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu meets Makinde, Mutfwang amid election permutation
According to The Punch, the meeting is coming against the background of the ongoing political alignment and realignments as key actors have started strategic consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Makinde, one of the four remaining PDP governors, is still standing with the leading opposition amid defections to the ruling APC. It is widely believed that the Oyo governor is nursing a presidential ambition and positioned himself to be the PDP flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.
On the other hand, Governor Mutfwang recently joined the growing list of opposition leaders who have crossed to the ruling APC. The meeting would be the first of its kind between Tinubu and Mutfwang since the latter officially defected to the ruling party. Recently, Tinubu has held a series of meetings with governors across party lines.
Fayose drags Makinde in N50bn saga
The Thursday meeting is also coming amid the allegation by former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti that Makinde has been ungrateful to President Tinubu. Claiming that the Oyo governor received N50 billion relief fund from the presidency for the Ibadan explosion.
Governor Makinde has denied the allegation, saying that what Tinubu's government gave Oyo state was N30 billion and that only N4 billion was spent, while others were kept in bank security.
Nigerians have reacted to the allegation differently. Below are some of their comments on the matter:
Adetunji Adewolu faulted the governor:
"Urgent yesterday, untouched for years. If the need was real, the action should have matched the urgency. These are fair questions Nigerians deserve clear answers to."
Source: Twitter
Bugizi said the governor shot himself:
"@seyimakinde made a grave error on that press conference. He wanted to whitewash himself, but he got himself dirtier. My mother tongue says “sorosoro ranti eni to mo gbo”. He never saw @GovAyoFayose going for his jugular. He’ll never talk to the press till he leaves in 2027, I can bet it."
Adekunlegold knocked the governor:
"For anyone to have that opportunity in a lifetime... The least a bank will pay as interest on #30 Billy annually is #3 billion. Politicians are all the same, but there are some pretenders disguised as most saints before their mungu followers. Presidential one-yard material."
Bisola said the governors are Nigeria's problem:
"Tinubu government was really trying for the masses, but all these governors no let am show."
You can read more comments on the allegation on X here:
INEC decides on PDP crisis
Legit.ng earlier reported that INEC has disclosed its position on the crisis rocking the opposition PDP, which is now into two factions controlled by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The electoral body made the position while speaking on the requestion of the legal representatives of a faction, Akintayo Balogun & Co.
Recall that the PDP has been facing an internal crisis since the outcome of the 2023 general election, where the party lost to President Bola Tinubu.
Source: Legit.ng
