Seyi Makinde explains why he withdrew support for Tinubu and wants to contest the 2027 presidency, citing concerns about Nigeria’s future
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained his decision to withdraw support for President Bola Tinubu and challenge him in the 2027 presidential election, saying he no longer believes the administration is taking Nigeria in the right direction.
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Makinde, who supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, said his decision was driven by concerns about the country’s future rather than personal disagreements with the President or a desire to occupy Aso Rock.
The governor gave the explanation in a lengthy statement published on his campaign platform, Reset Nigeria, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, outlining his political journey, his assessment of the Tinubu administration and his vision for the country.
He said he initially backed Tinubu because he believed the President could unite Nigerians and establish a government focused on national unity, competence and addressing the country’s economic challenges.
However, Makinde said his confidence in the administration had declined after three years in office.
“I supported President Tinubu because I believed he could bring people together to build a government of national unity and competence. I believed his administration would confront our economic challenges while creating opportunities for Nigerians to build better lives.
“Three years later, I no longer believe his administration is taking us in that direction,” he said.
Makinde traced his political convictions to his upbringing in a lower-middle-class family, saying his father was a teacher who later retrained as an accountant, while his mother worked as a telephone operator in the civil service.
He said his family was not wealthy but lived in a Nigeria where ordinary parents believed education, hard work and determination could give their children better opportunities.
He attended Bishop Phillips Academy in Ibadan before studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Lagos.
He later specialised in industrial measurement and safety systems and established Makon Engineering and Technical Services at the age of 29.
According to the governor, his business expanded beyond Nigeria despite his lack of wealthy or politically influential family connections.
“I did not achieve this because I came from a wealthy or politically connected family. I had an education, acquired useful skills, found opportunities and worked to make the most of them.
“Nigeria gave me the opportunity to live my dreams. And that is what troubles me about the Nigeria we have today,” he said.
Makinde questioned whether young Nigerians could still access similar opportunities, particularly in education, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.
He said he wanted to help build a country where hard work and determination could translate into improved living conditions.
The governor explained that he initially tried to contribute to society through philanthropy, supporting education, individuals, families and community initiatives.
However, he eventually concluded that personal financial assistance could only reach a limited number of people, while millions of Nigerians needed broader access to opportunities.
That realisation, he said, influenced his decision to enter politics.
Makinde recalled that he contested for the Senate twice and ran for governor between 2007 and 2015 but lost those elections. He eventually won the Oyo State governorship election in 2019.
“I entered office without a political godfather. I have often said that I had no godfather, only God the Father,” he said.
He said his seven years in government had allowed him to translate his ideas into policies and demonstrate how public institutions could create opportunities and deliver results.
Makinde also acknowledged that governing was different from running a successful business, adding that he had made mistakes, accepted responsibility and apologised when necessary.
Explaining why he wants to contest in 2027 rather than wait until 2031 or 2035, Makinde said he was concerned about the country’s economic direction and the prospects of younger generations.
He cited the difficulties facing young Nigerians with qualifications and skills who were unable to secure meaningful employment, as well as businesses struggling with electricity and transportation costs.
He also expressed concern about parents who were increasingly uncertain whether their children would enjoy better living conditions.
The governor said disappointment with successive governments had left many Nigerians questioning whether their votes could make a difference.
“I understand that disappointment.
“We have heard promises before. We have seen governments come and go. We have been told repeatedly that things will get better.
“Yet too many Nigerians are still struggling to survive.
“But I refuse to believe that this is all Nigeria can become,” he said.
Makinde argued that federal government decisions could undermine progress made by state administrations, warning that another four years along what he described as the current trajectory could make the country’s economic and institutional problems more difficult to reverse.
“I am concerned that if we get the next four years wrong, the damage to our economy, our institutions and the prospects of another generation could become much harder to reverse.
“That is why I cannot wait. And it is why I believe we must change direction in 2027,” he said.
Makinde identified four major areas behind his loss of confidence in the Tinubu administration.
They include what he described as economic stability without corresponding development, governance by excuses, the pursuit of political power instead of national unity, and economic reforms without adequate protection for Nigerians.
On the economy, the governor acknowledged improvements in some macroeconomic indicators but argued that such gains would have limited meaning for ordinary citizens if they did not translate into productive businesses, employment, higher incomes and better living conditions.
He also criticised what he described as the administration’s continued reliance on inherited challenges to explain its performance.
“Every government inherits problems, but it is elected to solve them. Over three years into this administration, we are still hearing explanations about inherited poverty, insecurity, electricity problems and other challenges, when Nigerians should be seeing more measurable progress towards resolving them,” he said.
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Makinde’s statement sets out his reasons for breaking with Tinubu politically and seeking a different direction for the country ahead of the 2027 general election.
