Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has stirred public discourse by declaring that the most crucial defection in Nigeria is yet to occur — the “defection” of hunger and poverty from the lives of Nigerians.
Turning the Focus to Real Issues
In a bi-monthly newsletter circulated on Thursday, Governor Makinde lamented that while political pundits are consumed with the movement of governors between parties, the more urgent matter is when economic hardship finally leaves the nation.
“I have watched as our national conversation once again turns to who is moving rather than what is moving,” Makinde wrote. “For me, the only defection that truly matters is the one that has not happened yet — the defection of hunger.”
He added that he would be moved only when hunger “defects into the APC,” a remark aimed at underscoring the gravity of citizens’ suffering amid political realignments.
Critics, Politics & the 2027 Election
Makinde noted that the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has overshadowed the real challenges confronting Nigerians.
He warned that the outcome of the 2027 general election will not be determined by shifting party allegiances but by the lived realities of Nigerians burdened by poverty, inflation, and deprivation.
Makinde urged the PDP to rebuild trust by presenting credible solutions, not just engaging in political theatre. He described the party’s upcoming convention (to hold in Ibadan) as a chance to reset its focus on people’s welfare.
Implications & Public Response
- The remark reframes political defections as distractions from deeper socioeconomic crises.
- It also challenges both the ruling party and opposition to better prioritize policy over posturing.
- For many Nigerians facing daily hardship, the message resonates — they may see little value in political shifts if their suffering persists.
As political realignments continue, Makinde’s call invites the public and leaders alike to judge governance not by party labels, but by whether hunger and poverty can truly “defect” from Nigeria.
