₦airaland Forum

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says the most important defection in Nigeria has not yet taken place — the defection of hunger and poverty from the country.

In his bi-monthly newsletter released on Thursday, Makinde said while the recent defections of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have dominated national discussions, Nigerians should focus on when economic hardship “defects” out of their lives, as only then will prosperity return.

“I am sure many of you have been following the recent defections of politicians, especially the governors who have left the PDP for the APC and other parties,” Makinde wrote.

“With these defections, political pundits have been busy reading meanings into every handshake and silence. I have watched as our national conversation once again turns to who is moving rather than what is moving.”

He said the only defection that truly matters is that of hunger, stressing that Nigerians are struggling to meet basic needs while political realignments continue to attract attention.


“When I was asked about this wave of cross-carpeting in a recent press conference, I said I would only be moved when hunger defects into the APC. I meant every word of it,” he said. “Families are being forced to make impossible choices daily. These are the real issues, not political realignments.”

Makinde noted that the widening inequality gap is deepening frustration and hopelessness across the country, adding that “it is hunger, not partisanship, that fuels despair.”

According to him, only the Nigerian people, not defections or political manoeuvres, will decide the outcome of the 2027 general election.


He said the PDP must rebuild trust by offering solutions to the economic hardship that has worsened under successive governments.

“No matter what the analysts predict, it is the Nigerian people who will decide the 2027 elections. Our job in the PDP is to prove we can deliver relief where others have brought pain,” he stated.

“Nigerians remember when salaries had value, when businesses could plan, and when hope was not an illusion. Our task now is to rebuild that trust and restore the PDP as a platform that prioritises people over politics.”

Makinde said the PDP’s upcoming national convention in Ibadan would serve as more than just a gathering of party faithful, describing it as “an opportunity to reset and reassert our values.”


He urged citizens not to lose faith, saying hunger and deprivation would not last forever if Nigerians remain engaged and refuse to normalise hardship.

“Let others defect for convenience; let us stand firm for conscience. When hunger finally defects, prosperity will return, and so will our pride as a people,” the governor added.

Makinde concluded by emphasising that politics must serve humanity, warning that any policy detached from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and loss of dignity is “not worth defending.”

“Economic decisions are not about numbers,” he said. “Every decision that takes money out of people’s pockets moves them closer to poverty. My belief is that our politics must serve humanity.”

Alaigbo:
Can Makinde tell us if hunger n poverty already left Ibadan the Oyo state capital or Oyo state itself ?

Mrchippychappy:
We Don tell dem tire but dem no want hear word, I would start loosing sleep when the Nigerian populace all defect. Until then, let's see how a handful of corrupt moneybags jumping on a sinking ship would dictate the destiny and future of the Nigerians who have had enough of this corrupt, terror sponsoring administration

CoronaVirusPro:
When Seyi talks, it’s always a comedy!

Who are those deceiving him that he is important in affairs?


This is just a kid who was opportune to have had access to Oyo state treasury, and feels he has become a force or gained relevancy.

Someone should tell this political minion the truth. As it stands today, VDM and Portable are still more politically potent than he will ever be.

adenigga:

Most Important Defection Yet To Take Place – Makinde
According to him, only the Nigerian people, not defections or political manoeuvres, will decide the outcome of the 2027 general election.










Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2025/10/17/most-important-defection-yet-to-take-place-makinde

ozo13:
make una no go unite .by the time PDP, ADC and LP split votes again, una go see how more easy it will be for APC to win compare to 2023.

Mrchippychappy:
No need for party unity, Nigerians, Not any 3 or 4 word party, I repeat Nigerians are united in their fear of insecurity, the fear of financial ruin and being unable to provide for their children, their fear that after doing every thing right as a law abiding citizen: Education, Taxes, Starting a family, being an upright person in your community, the government or government associates can just show up and take all you have worked for, your land, your houses, your savings etc, Nigerians are united. There is no need to defect to a sinking ship, let's see who is more powerful, The politicians or the people on the edge. 2027 would be fun

favour32:
You dey call a whole governor,a kid?
You think this faceless forum can protect you if dem mean you?
You nor fear?

ozo13:
who will they now queue behind to vote for.e be like say una never Sabi as e dey sup. Which Nigeria dey united when Atiku no gree allow Obi take ticket and also the other way round. So u think the hungry obidients will vote for Atiku abi or the hungry Atiku supporters will vote for obi abi. No worry, election is very close nah. Make una no unite

OneCandleAway:
Data has really made everyone equal. That why you, a nonentity, can afford to speak about mankind like this.

Mrchippychappy:
You cannot force people to have a singular mindset, Nigerians are not a monolith, everyone has a mind of their own but one thing is certain, regardless of who people choose to go with, this evil administration would be done with by 2027 and after that, the hierarchy would be tried and convicted of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria

ChiefOloye:
Some people will come here and hail Seyi Makinde, for saying the truth to Tinubu. They won't mind that he's a Governor and it's akso his responsibility to make hunger and poverty defect from Oyo State.

Mrchippychappy:
We Don tell dem tire but dem no want hear word, I would start loosing sleep when the Nigerian populace all defect. Until then, let's see how a handful of corrupt moneybags jumping on a sinking ship would dictate the destiny and future of the Nigerians who have had enough of this corrupt, terror sponsoring administration

Makinaki:
So to call Governor 'kid' na hanging offence for your mind. Why una mumu like this for God's sake?

wellmax:
Gbammmmmm.

How has he tackled poverty as a governor

onatisi:
if care is not taken and if things continue to deteriorate , and most especially if the opposition can come together and present the right sellan]ble candidate , then they will defeat apc and tinubu even if he has 36 state governors ,
because when the people are mobilize and rise up as one with one voice against a government , even 200 governors cants stop them . the million dollar question is can the opposition get their acts right . if they can then it will be a case of the people vs the elites , poor vs rich

CoronaVirusPro:
When Seyi talks, it’s always a comedy!

Who are those deceiving him that he is important in affairs?


This is just a kid who was opportune to have had access to Oyo state treasury, and feels he has become a force or gained relevancy.

Someone should tell this political minion the truth. As it stands today, VDM and Portable are still more politically potent than he will ever be.

CoronaVirusPro:
When Seyi talks, it’s always a comedy!

Who are those deceiving him that he is important in affairs?


This is just a kid who was opportune to have had access to Oyo state treasury, and feels he has become a force or gained relevancy.

Someone should tell this political minion the truth. As it stands today, VDM and Portable are still more politically potent than he will ever be.

ejimatic:
If the election comes tomorrow ,Tinubu will win.
All those defecting will influence the results in favour of Tinubu.

Painfully it is a bitter truth

favour32:
You dey call a whole governor,a kid?
You think this faceless forum can protect you if dem mean you?
You nor fear?