Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has accused President Bola Tinubu of breaching a written agreement to form a government of national unity after the 2023 presidential election, saying the alleged failure to honour the deal has affected his willingness to work with the President again.
Makinde disclosed that the agreement, which he said was signed before the election, informed his controversial decision to support Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, despite belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking in an interview aired on Friday with ARISE News anchor, Ojy Okpe, the governor said he still had a copy of the document, insisting that his support for Tinubu was based on an understanding that the administration would accommodate different political interests.
“I still have the agreement with us,” Makinde declared.
He accused the President of failing to honour 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 assess whether the alleged agreement had delivered the national unity arrangement that informed his decision to support Tinubu.
“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 offers an explanation for his decision to back Tinubu in 2023, which put him at odds with sections of his party and attracted criticism over his political allegiance.
He maintained that the decision was not motivated by their shared Yoruba ethnic background but by the expectation that a government of national unity would promote inclusion and serve Nigeria’s interests.
The governor also argued that supporting Tinubu in Oyo State was a political risk, as he was uncertain how voters would react to his backing of a presidential candidate from another party while seeking re-election.
He said his decision was not based on any assurance that it 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 suggested that his reservations about renewed cooperation with Tinubu were rooted in what he described as a breach of trust rather than an unwillingness to work with politicians across party lines.
Makinde, who is positioning himself for a possible presidential contest in 2027, also advocated a broader opposition arrangement ahead of the next general election.
He maintained that any alliance among opposition politicians should be driven by Nigeria’s interests rather than the personal ambitions of individual leaders.
The governor indicated that consultations among opposition figures were ongoing but did not announce a final agreement or identify a settled political platform.
However, Makinde 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.
Neither the Presidency nor Tinubu have yet to respond to Makinde’s allegations.