AWC Political Desk
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State at the State House in Abuja on 22 January 2026, in a meeting that has sparked intense political speculation around power dynamics, party relations, as well as strategic positioning and alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the official line from both leaders stressed that the visit was focused on governance issues rather than partisan alignment — with Makinde clarifying he remains “comfortable in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” and not planning to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) — the encounter comes amid a backdrop of rising political intrigue and strained relationships within the opposition.
Makinde’s visit followed a period of internal conflict within the PDP, notably between him and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, immediate past governor of Rivers State and party heavyweight, whom Makinde accused of attempting to “hold the PDP” in support of Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
That dispute highlights broader tensions within the PDP and has fueled speculation about divergent strategies among opposition figures: some are pushing for a strong presidential contender from the South, where the party has zoned its 2027 ticket, while others are seen as favouring pragmatic engagement with the federal government to protect political interests.
Analysts say Makinde’s meeting with Tinubu — even as he maintains his PDP loyalty — may reflect horse-trading common in Nigerian politics, where governors and power brokers test alliances and carve out influence ahead of a highly competitive election year. Some observers suggest that such engagements could be aimed at maintaining access to federal resources and influence, even if they ultimately remain within opposition ranks.
Political commentators also point out that Oyo State’s electoral dynamics — including how the state voted in the 2023 election, where Tinubu secured significant support — add another layer of complexity to the interaction.
For now, both sides portray the meeting as a non-partisan dialogue on governance and national development, but the timing and context make it difficult for commentators to rule out broader strategic calculations ahead of 2027, as Nigeria’s political landscape remains fluid and highly contested.
