Makinde Questions 2023 Alliance With Tinubu, Says Trust Was Broken

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has offered a fresh explanation for his decision to withdraw support for President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the President failed to honour a written agreement on forming a government of national unity after the 2023 presidential election.

Makinde disclosed that the agreement, which he said was signed before the election, influenced his decision to support Tinubu despite belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Friday, the governor said he still had a copy of the document and maintained that his support for Tinubu was based on an expectation that the administration would accommodate different political interests.

“I still have the agreement with us,” he said.

Makinde alleged that the understanding was not respected after Tinubu assumed office, describing the experience as a major reason for his reservations about working with the President again.

“I’ve had a certain experience with him, you know, where agreement was signed. And he didn’t keep to it,” the governor said.

He challenged those questioning his political position to examine whether the agreement had produced the inclusive government that informed his decision to support Tinubu.

“Are we having a government of national unity right now?” he asked.

The governor also rejected suggestions that his 2023 support for Tinubu was motivated by their shared Yoruba background. He insisted that his decision was based on the proposed national unity arrangement and what he believed it could offer the country.

According to him, supporting Tinubu in Oyo State was a political risk because he was uncertain how voters would respond to his endorsement of a presidential candidate from another party while seeking re-election as governor.

Makinde’s latest disclosure has brought renewed attention to the political negotiations and alliances that preceded the 2023 presidential election, particularly the expectations of opposition figures who supported Tinubu.

He also contrasted his experience with the President with his dealings with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

“I’ve not had that issue with him before, with Atiku Abubakar, or H.E. Peter Obi,” he said.

The governor’s comments come as opposition politicians continue consultations over possible alliances ahead of the 2027 general election.

Makinde advocated a broader opposition arrangement, arguing that any coalition should be guided by Nigeria’s interests rather than the personal ambitions of political leaders.

He did not, however, announce a final agreement with any opposition group or disclose the full contents of the 2023 document, including the identities of all its signatories and the specific commitments it contained.

The alleged agreement was also not independently examined during the interview.

Makinde is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential contest under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), setting up a potential challenge against Tinubu, who is seeking another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The Presidency and Tinubu had not publicly responded to the allegation at the time of the report.

The governor’s account now places the question of political trust and the fulfilment of pre-election agreements at the centre of the debate over his changing relationship with Tinubu.

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