Ambition Above Allegiance: Inside the Political Calculations of Governor Seyi Makinde

By Sunday Oladapo

In Nigerian politics, party loyalty is often fluid, but few politicians embody this reality as consistently as Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Over nearly two decades, his political journey has followed a familiar pattern: align where opportunity exists, exit where ambition is blocked, and recalibrate when personal interests are threatened. To his critics, this pattern reveals a politician driven less by ideology and more by self-preservation.
Makinde’s history of political realignment dates back to 2007. Then a rising figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he exited the party after failing to secure its senatorial ticket. Rather than wait or build internal consensus, he defected to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), signaling early on that political advancement, not party structure, would define his choices.
The cycle repeated itself in 2015. Once again unable to clinch the PDP governorship ticket, Makinde abandoned the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The move reinforced a growing perception among political observers: whenever the PDP failed to accommodate his ambition, Makinde sought an alternative platform. Ideology appeared secondary to access.
By 2019, Makinde returned to the PDP—this time successfully securing the governorship ticket and ultimately winning the Oyo State governorship. Yet even this victory did little to convince critics of his loyalty. Within political circles, it is widely believed that had the PDP ticket eluded him again, another defection would have followed. His return to the party, many argue, was conditional, not committed.
The 2023 election season offered perhaps the clearest demonstration of Makinde’s political pragmatism. Aligning himself with the G5 Governors—who openly challenged the PDP’s national leadership and worked against the party’s presidential candidate—Makinde prioritized his reelection over party unity. While the move drew widespread criticism, it achieved its primary goal: Makinde secured a second term as governor. For supporters, it was political brilliance; for detractors, it was a stark example of self-interest trumping collective responsibility.
Makinde’s influence and maneuvering have not been limited to Oyo State alone. In 2022, he was widely accused of working against the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun State. Critics argue that Makinde preferred a political landscape where he remained the sole PDP governor in the Southwest, consolidating regional influence and bargaining power within the party. Whether strategic or divisive, the episode deepened suspicions about his willingness to undermine party success elsewhere for personal leverage.
Today, as conversations gradually shift toward life after 2027, many political watchers believe Makinde’s next move is only a matter of time. With constitutional limits barring him from seeking another term as governor, expectations are high that he may once again change political platforms to pursue higher ambitions. If past behavior is any indication, party affiliation will likely depend on which platform best serves his next objective.
Among his critics, Makinde is often referred to as the “Ibadan Gomina General”—a nickname that suggests dominance, independence, and unilateral decision-making. They argue that his political history shows loyalty to neither individuals nor institutions, but solely to himself. Names such as Hon. Mulikat Adeola, Hon. Muraina, former deputy governor Hazeem Gbolarumi, Olopoeeyan, Auxiliary, and Senator Hosea Agboola (Alleluyah) are frequently cited as former allies who allegedly fell out with Makinde after their usefulness waned.
Supporters, however, counter this narrative by describing Makinde as a master strategist—one who understands Nigeria’s political terrain and refuses to be constrained by sentiment or tradition. To them, his adaptability is strength, not betrayal.
Ultimately, Governor Seyi Makinde’s political story is one of calculated moves, shifting alliances, and relentless ambition. Whether history judges him as a visionary tactician or an unprincipled opportunist will depend on perspective. What is undeniable, however, is that his career offers a powerful case study in modern Nigerian politics—where power often belongs not to the most loyal, but to the most strategic.