The Governor Who Won’t Be Silenced: Gov. Makinde and the Struggle for Multiparty Democracy in Nigeria

BY Innocent Imoh Paul

Another election cycle is close by; and concerns about the strength of its multiparty democracy and the balance of power within the federation (Nigeria) are resurfacing. In this climate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emerged as one of the most outspoken opposition figures, arguing that the preservation of democratic pluralism is central to national stability. His firm stance within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his decision not to support President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid, have renewed debate about federal influence, opposition resilience, and the future direction of Nigeria’s democracy.

Makinde’s position extends beyond routine partisan disagreement. It reflects a broader concern about the pressures facing opposition parties in Nigeria and the implications such pressures may have for democratic competition. In recent public remarks, he warned that efforts to weaken or fragment the PDP could ultimately erode the checks and balances necessary for a healthy democratic system. His stance has therefore been interpreted not merely as political loyalty, but as a statement on the importance of sustaining viable alternatives within Nigeria’s political landscape.

In a media chat in Ibadan in December 2025, Makinde explained why he will not support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, warning that “their efforts to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, could ultimately undermine Nigeria’s democracy and push the nation toward unhealthy political dominance.”

Recounting a meeting attended by President Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior officials, Makinde alleged that during the meeting, Wike volunteered to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, a statement Makinde said shocked him. Clearly, Wike had subtly presented himself as provocateur and ready tool of destruction with a pledge. Anyone can now link the dots in the recurring attacks by ‘moles of the state’ to bury the party, PDP, and by extension any opposition.

While acknowledging that individuals are free to align politically as they choose, Makinde drew a clear line between personal political decisions and institutional sabotage. He stressed that while Wike is free to support Tinubu and work for the APC government, he has chosen not to do so and believes every individual should be allowed to make their political choices. His argument is that democracy cannot thrive where viable opposition platforms are systematically weakened.

The PDP, however, has responded by reinforcing its constitutional structures, including conducting an elective national convention in Ibadan and emerging with a new National Working Committee responsible for day-to-day administration. These steps signal an effort to consolidate internally despite external pressure.

In January 2026, Makinde told State House journalists after a meeting with the president on governance matters in Oyo State that he is “comfortable with PDP, and has no plan to leave the party”, so could not be part of discussions held.

Looking at the state of the nation, it is evident that the Tinubu/APC-led government has neglected citizens’ safety and welfare, prioritizing political survival and image management through paid foreign lobbyists in millions of dollars instead of using such funds to address recurring problems that affect Nigerians daily.

The firm stance of Governor Makinde has drawn attention to broader national issues, including governance failures, misleading federal government performance indices, and insecurity ravaging communities with consequent disruption to local economies. More disappointing is the unapologetic lack of will by the APC-led federal government to tackle these challenges without international pressure, undermining any claim of initiative as a sovereign nation. Their non-complicity is betrayed by questionable silence and pardons for terrorists. Day after day, state governments and their agents are witnessing the growth of a band of “government-licensed” ransom mediators and sympathizers, while lives and properties are increasingly threatened by Islamist extremist sects and militias.

Makinde’s proactive stance and consistent public declarations against sponsored violence highlight the danger of one-party dominance, where no voice dares to speak truth to power, cloaked in authoritarianism.

The slaughter of five federal forest guards as reprisal by arrested Fulani militia in Oyo State has clarified earlier misrepresentations by unverified sources against the Makinde administration and has verified the vision of his administration’s earlier investment in security.

The Oyo State governance model implemented by Governor Makinde has significantly increased awareness of the code of conduct in governance and fulfilled citizens’ expectations, demonstrating that he is a dependable guardian of Nigeria’s fragile democracy. His stance ensures that the PDP remains a viable alternative, preventing a drift toward a one-party state that would silence dissent and erode accountability.

Insecurity as a Backdrop

Since 2019, the Makinde administration has confronted insecurity with fresh ideas and courage, strengthening the state’s reformed security infrastructure in collaboration with federal agencies and the Southwest regional security network, Amotekun, to tackle armed robbery, terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and other threats. This proactive approach arose from the repeated failures of the federal government to restore peace and stability.

In this context, Makinde’s refusal to be silenced takes on even greater significance. He represents voices willing to challenge failed policies and propose alternative strategies. His resistance is not merely about party politics; it is about ensuring that Nigerians’ lives and properties are protected and that governance delivers tangible security.

The Future of Opposition and National Stability

Makinde has consistently tied the survival of the PDP as a credible opposition to Nigeria’s democratic stability in many public forums. “If the party collapses under federal pressure, the country risks sliding into authoritarianism disguised as democracy,” he warned. The PDP’s principled stand is therefore not only about protecting their party but about safeguarding Nigeria’s future. Their courage offers hope that democracy can endure, even in the face of manipulation, insecurity, and attempts to silence dissent.

In fact, this is a call for courage to elevate the struggle to national survival. If Nigeria is to overcome its crises and reclaim a path toward stability, it must preserve the voices of opposition that challenge power and demand accountability. The future of the republic depends not on silence or submission, but on leaders who dare to resist, even when resistance comes at great personal and political cost.

This conclusion ties the themes together by elevating the governor’s stance from partisan politics to national survival; reinforcing the urgency of democratic pluralism and ending with a call to action that resonates with citizens.

It is also relevant to restate the constitutional roles of opposition in a democracy vis-a-viz: Checks and Balances through openly criticizing government actions, opposition parties ensure that insecurity and governance failures remain central in public discourse; Representation of Citizens’ Concerns where their criticisms echo the frustrations of Nigerians who feel unsafe, amplifying grassroots voices in national debates and Pressure for Policy Change when a persistent opposition scrutiny forces the ruling party to justify its strategies and consider reforms, even if reluctantly.

In comparison, while citizens face worsening insecurity, the APC claims opposition rhetoric inflames tensions and undermines peace efforts. Yet where government neglects reforms and is being called out, the APC highlights ongoing military operations and regional collaborations initiatives that were not its doing, but those of the opposition and local communities, including survivors of ongoing violence. Unsurprisingly, this government now struggles to end the insecurity it deviously fabricated to grab power a decade ago.

Clearly, opposition plays a vital constitutional role in holding the APC-led federal government accountable on insecurity. Their criticisms spotlight governance failures, amplify citizens’ fears, and demand urgent reforms. The federal government’s tendency to dismiss these voices as political attacks highlights the ongoing struggle between accountability and partisan defensiveness in Nigeria’s democracy.

Innocent Imoh Paul writes from the PDP Governors’ Forum, Abuja.