Let’s Focus On Tackling Hunger, Not Defections – Makinde

Following major recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said the focus of the nation ought to be on how to address the hunger in the land rather than on political realignments.

Makinde, in his bi-monthly newsletter issued on Thursday, said while the defections of some PDP governors into the All Progressives Congress (APC) might have taken over national discourse, Nigerians should focus on when hunger and deprivation defect out of the country, as it is only then that prosperity can return and their pride restored.

The governor added that families are being forced to make impossible choices daily, stressing that these are the real issues and not political realignment.

Makinde urged Nigerians to pay attention to what truly matters and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked by political realignments, which are mere distractions.

The newsletter read in part: “I am sure many of you have been following the recent defections of politicians—especially the governors who have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties.

“With these defections, political pundits have been busy reading meanings into every handshake and silence. I have watched as our national conversation once again turns to who is moving rather than what is moving.

“For me, the only defection that truly matters is the one that has not happened yet — the defection of hunger.

“When I was asked about this wave of political cross-carpeting in a recent press conference, I said, ‘I will only be moved when hunger defects into the APC.’ I meant every word of it, because while people are busy changing parties, Nigerians are struggling to afford the basic necessities.

“Families are being forced to make impossible choices daily. These are the real issues, not political realignment.

“We cannot continue pretending that everything is fine simply because someone in the government says so.

What we are experiencing is the widening of inequality. While the rich are adjusting, the poor are sinking — and that is what must command our attention.

“It is hunger, not partisanship, that fuels frustration and hopelessness. Until we deal with that, every political drama will remain a distraction.”

Governor Makinde reiterated his position that only the Nigerian people, who are faced with hunger and poverty, will decide the outcome of the 2027 general election, noting that the PDP as a political party will put its acts together and provide a platform that could offer Nigerians relief where others have brought pains.

“Let me say this again: no matter what the analysts predict, and no matter how many defections are engineered, it is the Nigerian people who will decide the outcome of the 2027 elections. Our job in the PDP is to continue to provide proof that we can deliver relief where others have brought pain.

“As a party, the PDP once presided over a period of relative prosperity in this country. Nigerians may disagree on many things, but they remember when salaries had value, when businesses could plan, and when hope was not an illusion.

“Our task now is to rebuild that trust and restore the PDP to what it should represent — a platform that prioritises people over politics.

“In November, our party will hold its national convention in Ibadan, and I see it as more than just a gathering of party faithful. It will be an opportunity to reset, to reassert our values, and to send a clear message that we are focused on rebuilding lives, not merely rebuilding structures of power.

“So, my appeal is simple: stay engaged, stay focused, and do not lose faith in the power of your voice. The hunger that grips our nation today will not last forever — but only if we, together, refuse to normalise it.

“Let others defect for convenience. Let us stand firm for conscience, because when hunger finally defects, prosperity will return — and so will our pride as a people,” he added.

The governor pointed out that politics must serve humanity, as according to him, policies that are divorced from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and the erosion of dignity are not policies worth defending, stating that these are the real issues and not the defections.

He said: “As I noted in my last newsletter, the core message of my book of the month, “Money: A Story of Humanity” by David McWilliams, is that economic decisions are not about numbers. Every decision that takes money out of people’s pockets moves them closer to poverty.

“Policies divorced from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and the erosion of dignity are not policies worth defending. My belief is that our politics must serve humanity,” he said.