Makinde criticises political defections, urges focus on ending economic hardship
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, has criticised the current wave of political defections sweeping across Nigeria, describing them as a distraction from the real crisis of hunger and poverty affecting millions.
In his bi-monthly newsletter released on Thursday, Makinde argued that the conversation around shifting political loyalties should take a back seat to the more pressing issue of economic survival.
Governor Makinde noted that while several governors and high-ranking politicians have recently abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), such moves does little to address the daily struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“The only defection Nigerians truly care about is the one where hunger and poverty leave their lives.
“Political alignments may dominate headlines, but they do not put food on the table, ” he wrote.
Makinde also said that recent media attention on defections had become more about speculation and less about substance.
“It is not about who shakes whose hand anymore. The question is: what is changing for the people?” the governor asked.
During a recent press briefing, Makinde was asked about the PDP’s internal dynamics and the impact of recent defections. His response was unequivocal: “I will only be concerned when hunger joins the APC.”
Makinde stressed that families across Nigeria were being forced into impossible decisions due to rising costs, job losses, and stagnant incomes.
He argued that political discourse must shift from power plays to policies that directly tackle these challenges.
He further stated that the growing gulf between Nigeria’s wealthy elite and its struggling majority was breeding resentment and hopelessness, not because of party politics, but because of unmet basic needs.
In a veiled critique of both current and past administrations, Makinde said the solution lies in real leadership that prioritises the welfare of citizens over political calculations.
“Only the electorate, not party defections or media spin, will decide the outcome of the 2027 elections,” he declared.
Calling on his party, the PDP, to re-establish its identity as a people-focused platform, the governor urged leaders to stop chasing political influence and start rebuilding public trust.
“Our job is not to match defections but to offer Nigerians something different, a future that is not dominated by fear and frustration.
“People remember a time when salaries mattered, when small businesses could survive, and when governance meant something. That’s the trust we need to restore, ” he said.
Makinde revealed that the PDP’s upcoming national convention in Ibadan would serve not just as a gathering of party members but as a moment for deep reflection and recalibration.
He described it as a chance to reaffirm the party’s values and redefine its direction ahead of 2027.
The governor therefore call to conscience for politicians across all parties, stating that no policy or political win was worth defending if it worsens the lives of citizens.
“When politics fails to serve humanity, it becomes hollow.
“Every policy that strips people of dignity, that increases hardship, is a betrayal of public service. Our duty is not to numbers or party colours it’s to people, ” he said.
Makinde’s remarks come amid growing public unease over Nigeria’s economic trajectory, as inflation continues to rise and unemployment remains high.
With months to go before the next general election season begins in earnest, the governor’s comments are likely to resonate with voters seeking solutions over slogans.
