Governor Makinde Expresses Regret Over 2023 Support for President Tinubu.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has publicly stated that he regrets his decision to support President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, conceding that the choice has not yielded his expected results for the nation.

Governor Makinde made the revelation on Tuesday during an interaction with journalists at the Government House in Ibadan.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Makinde was part of the G5—a group of five PDP governors who dissented from their party’s support for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, the faction argued that the PDP should have nominated a southern candidate following the eight-year tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.

Explaining his rationale at the time, Makinde said his cross-party endorsement was driven by national interest.

“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” he stated.

He further shared that he had believed Tinubu would “reset the country” and assemble capable leaders from across Nigeria to tackle pressing national issues.

“But unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing,” Makinde added. “I regret that action. Yes, I do.”