Makinde has accusesd Tinubu of breaking 2023 agreement on government of national unity.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to honour a written agreement to form a government of national unity after the 2023 presidential election, saying the alleged breach has affected his willingness to work with the President again.
Makinde said the agreement, which he claimed was signed before the election, influenced his controversial decision to support Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News anchor, Ojy Okpe, aired on Friday, the governor said he still had a copy of the document and insisted that his support for Tinubu was based on an understanding that the proposed administration would accommodate different political interests.
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“I still have the agreement with us,” Makinde declared.
He accused Tinubu of failing to fulfil the commitment after assuming office.
“I’ve had a certain experience with him, you know, where agreement was signed. And he didn’t keep to it,” he said.
The governor challenged those questioning his political position to examine whether the alleged agreement had resulted in the promised government of national unity.
“Tell us if the agreement was fulfilled. That’s wrong. Tell us if, not in terms of something personal, what has Nigeria got out of this? Are we having a government of national unity right now?” he asked.
Makinde’s disclosure provides further insight into his decision to support Tinubu in 2023, a move that put him at odds with sections of his party and attracted criticism over his political allegiance.
He maintained that his decision was not motivated by their shared Yoruba ethnic background but by the expectation that a government of national unity would promote political inclusion and serve Nigeria’s interests.
The governor also described his support for Tinubu in Oyo State as a political risk, saying he was uncertain how voters would react to his backing of a presidential candidate from another party while seeking re-election.
He said the decision was not based on any assurance that supporting Tinubu would improve his chances of retaining his governorship seat.
Asked whether he would consider working with Tinubu again amid political consultations ahead of the 2027 general election, Makinde 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 stated.
His remarks suggest that his reservations about renewed cooperation with Tinubu are rooted in what he described as a breach of trust rather than an unwillingness to work with politicians across party lines.
Makinde also advocated a broader opposition arrangement ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that any alliance among opposition politicians should be driven by Nigeria’s interests rather than the personal ambitions of individual leaders.
He indicated that consultations among opposition figures were ongoing but did not announce a final agreement or identify a settled political platform.
However, the governor did not disclose the full contents of the alleged agreement during the interview, including the identities of all its signatories or the specific arrangements envisaged under the proposed government of national unity. The document was also not independently examined during the interview.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor Tinubu had publicly responded to Makinde’s allegations.
