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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to honour a written agreement to establish a government of national unity after the 2023 presidential election, saying the experience has made him hesitant to consider working with the President again.
Makinde said the agreement was signed before the election and influenced his decision to support Tinubu, then the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In an interview with ARISE News anchor Ojy Okpe, aired on Friday, the governor said he still had a copy of the document and maintained that his support for Tinubu was based on the expectation that the proposed administration would bring different political interests together.
“I still have the agreement with us,” Makinde declared.
He accused Tinubu of abandoning the understanding after winning the election, saying the President had failed to fulfil the terms of their agreement.
“I’ve had a certain experience with him, you know, where agreement was signed. And he didn’t keep to it,” he said.
Makinde challenged those questioning his political choices to consider whether the arrangement had produced the promised government of national unity, adding that the issue went beyond any personal benefit to him.
He also questioned what Nigerians had gained from the alleged agreement and whether the country currently had an administration that reflected the proposed national unity arrangement.
“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.
The governor’s comments provide further insight into his decision to support Tinubu in 2023, a move that drew criticism from some members of his party and raised questions about his political loyalty.
Makinde rejected suggestions that his backing of Tinubu was influenced by their shared Yoruba identity, insisting that he acted on the expectation that the proposed government would promote political inclusion and serve the country’s interests.
He described the decision as a political gamble in Oyo State, saying he had no certainty about how voters would respond to his support for a presidential candidate from another party while he was also seeking re-election as governor.
He maintained that his endorsement was not based on any assurance that it would strengthen his chances of retaining his governorship seat.
Asked about the possibility of working with Tinubu again as political consultations gather pace ahead of the 2027 general election, Makinde said he had not experienced similar difficulties in his dealings with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or 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 response indicated that his reservations about renewed cooperation with Tinubu stemmed from what he considers a failure to honour an agreement, rather than opposition to working with politicians from other parties.
Makinde, who is positioning himself for a possible presidential bid in 2027, also called for a broader opposition alliance ahead of the next general election.
He said any such arrangement should prioritise Nigeria’s interests instead of serving the individual ambitions of political leaders.
The governor disclosed that discussions among opposition figures were continuing but did not announce a concluded agreement or name a political platform for a possible alliance.
However, he did not reveal the full contents of the alleged 2023 agreement, identify all those who signed it or provide details of the specific power-sharing arrangements it contained. The document was also not independently examined during the interview.
The Presidency had not responded to Makinde’s allegations at the time of publication.
