Former Governor claims President rebuffed Makinde’s political overtures
The former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu bluntly rebuffed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during their meeting at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
In a statement titled “Untold story of what happened in the Villa during Governor Makinde’s visit to the President today,” Fayose alleged that the meeting was far from the “harmonious” encounter described by the Oyo governor to the press. He asserted that Makinde lacked the courage to face the President alone and had to enlist the support of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to facilitate the session.
According to Fayose, the President made it clear that he was only willing to discuss official matters concerning Oyo State and not political realignments. He claimed Tinubu pointedly told Makinde that if his visit was about his ongoing feud with Nyesom Wike, or his recent televised accusations that the APC is plotting a one-party state, he should return to the media to air those grievances. Fayose alleged that the President cautioned the governor against “eating his words” in private while saying something entirely different to the public.
Furthermore, Fayose stated that the President told Makinde not to expect any support from the Presidency regarding the 2027 general elections. Tinubu reportedly emphasized that he would strictly support his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and that his relationship with Wike—whom Makinde has recently criticized—is one of consistency that he cannot deny. Fayose concluded that Makinde‘s subsequent statement about being “comfortable in the PDP” was merely a reaction to the reality that there was “nothing for him in the APC.”
Makinde maintains “harmonious” relationship with the President
Despite Fayose‘s claims, Governor Seyi Makinde painted a different picture of the meeting while speaking to state house correspondents after the closed-door session. He described his relationship with President Tinubu as “harmonious” and explained that his visit was centered on governance rather than politics. Makinde stressed that the President is the leader of all Nigerians, not just the APC, and that bipartisan cooperation is essential to solving national issues such as insecurity and poverty.
The governor took the opportunity to firmly deny rumors of a planned defection to the ruling party, asserting that he remains a “comfortable member” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He noted that while politics often involves different parties, the “Nigeria project” requires all leaders to work together. His visit comes amid growing speculation about his 2027 presidential ambitions, especially after he publicly declared in December 2025 that he would not support Tinubu‘s re-election bid.
The meeting also took place against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over federal intervention funds. Fayose had earlier accused Makinde of receiving N50 billion from the Federal Government following the January 2024 Bodija explosion but failing to account for it. Makinde clarified that while N50 billion was promised, only N30 billion was actually released, with N4.5 billion used for direct victim support and the rest for reconstruction and security upgrades in the affected areas.
Political tension rises within the PDP G-5 group
The public spat between Fayose and Makinde highlights the deepening cracks within the G-5 group of governors who famously worked against the PDP‘s presidential candidate in 2023. While Fayose remains a staunch ally of Nyesom Wike, who is now a minister in the APC-led cabinet, Makinde has recently sought to distance himself from Wike’s political orbit. This internal “civil war” is seen by analysts as a fight for control over the soul of the PDP as the next election cycle approaches.
| Key Players in the Villa Visit | Political Affiliation | Stated Goal of Meeting |
| Bola Tinubu | APC | National Governance / Party Strategy |
| Seyi Makinde | PDP | Bipartisan Cooperation on Oyo Affairs |
| Caleb Mutfwang | APC (recently defected) | Support for the President’s Agenda |
Fayose’s decision to release the “untold story” is viewed as an attempt to undermine Makinde’s standing as a potential leader of the opposition. By framing the governor as “lacking courage” and being “rebuffed,” Fayose is signaling that the Presidency does not view Makinde as a credible partner. As 2026 unfolds, the political landscape in Nigeria remains highly volatile, with every meeting at the Aso Rock Villa being subjected to intense scrutiny and conflicting interpretations.
