Why I’m not moved by gale of defections – Makinde

By Adejayan Gbenga –

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the only “defection” that should truly concern Nigerians is when hunger finally leaves the country, not politicians moving from one party to another.

Makinde made the remark on his X handle while reacting to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political platforms.

He dismissed the defections as a distraction from the nation’s real challenges, saying the focus should be on tackling poverty, inequality, and hunger, which he described as the real enemies of progress.

“I will only be moved when hunger defects into the APC,” the governor said. “While politicians are busy changing parties, Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities. Families are making impossible choices every day — that is the real issue.”

Makinde lamented that the country’s attention has shifted from policies that uplift citizens to political maneuvering and personal ambition. He urged leaders to focus on creating economic solutions that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Drawing inspiration from the book Money: A Story of Humanity by economist David McWilliams, the governor warned that economic policies detached from human realities push more people into poverty. He said every decision that reduces citizens’ purchasing power worsens hardship.

Reflecting on the PDP’s years in power, Makinde said the party once presided over a period when “salaries had value, businesses could plan, and hope was not an illusion.” He called on members to rebuild public trust and return the party to its people-focused roots.

Looking ahead to the PDP national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Makinde described it as a chance for renewal. He expressed optimism that Nigerians, not political scheming, would determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections and that “when hunger finally defects, prosperity will return.”