Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde

Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde

IBADAN, Oyo State – Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to honour a written agreement reached ahead of the 2023 presidential election, saying he took a significant political risk by supporting the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate despite belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde made the revelation during an interview with ARISE News, where he explained the circumstances surrounding his decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 election and why he has since become critical of the President’s administration.

The governor disclosed that his decision was based on an agreement to establish a Government of National Unity (GNU) after the election, insisting that the understanding was documented and signed by the parties involved.

According to him, he still has a copy of the agreement, which he said formed the basis of his decision to support Tinubu despite the potential political consequences.

“I’ve had a certain experience with him, you know, where agreement was signed. And he didn’t keep to it,” Makinde said.

He added that the arrangement was not primarily about personal benefits but about ensuring that different political interests would be accommodated in the governance of the country.

Why I Took the Political Risk

Makinde explained that backing Tinubu while seeking re-election as Oyo State governor in 2023 was a risky political decision because he was uncertain how voters in the state would react to his support for a presidential candidate from another political party.

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The governor said he could not predict whether the decision would strengthen or undermine his chances of securing another term in office.

He maintained that his endorsement was not motivated by ethnic considerations or the fact that both he and Tinubu are from the South-West, but by his expectation that the proposed government of national unity would promote national inclusion.

Makinde challenged those questioning his political position to examine whether the agreement had delivered the intended outcome.

“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.

Why I May Not Work With Tinubu Again

The Oyo governor’s latest comments also shed light on his reservations about renewing political cooperation with Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

When asked about the possibility of working with the President again, Makinde contrasted his experience with Tinubu 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 further cooperation with Tinubu are connected to what he described as the failure to honour their earlier agreement rather than an unwillingness to work across political party lines.

Makinde’s 2027 Presidential Ambition

Makinde, who is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has increasingly criticised the direction of Tinubu’s administration.

The governor has also questioned the administration’s handling of the economy, national unity, governance and the impact of economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.

He has argued that although he initially supported Tinubu because he believed the President could bring Nigerians together and establish a government of national unity and competence, he no longer believes the administration is moving in that direction.

Makinde’s disclosure has brought renewed attention to the political negotiations and agreements that preceded the 2023 presidential election, particularly the expectations of opposition figures who supported Tinubu despite belonging to different political parties.

However, the governor did not publicly disclose the full contents of the alleged agreement, the identities of all its signatories or the specific arrangements expected under the proposed Government of National Unity.

The document was not independently examined during the interview, and neither Tinubu nor the Presidency had responded to Makinde’s allegation at the time of reporting.

Tinubu Failed to Honour Our Agreement After I Took Political Risk for Him – Makinde