Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dispelled rumors that he might defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking at the public presentation of former Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s book *Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration* in Abuja, Makinde stressed that he remains a PDP member and has no intention of joining the APC, despite ongoing leadership challenges within his own party. He emphasized that Nigeria’s development can only be achieved through sincere cooperation among leaders across party lines and warned that the country’s growing divisions are driven by political elites who exploit religious, ethnic and regional differences for personal gain.
Makinde’s comments come amid internal disagreements and leadership disputes within the PDP, which have fueled speculation about possible defections by prominent party members. The APC, meanwhile, has recently benefited from high‑profile defections from opposition parties, strengthening its dominance at the national level.
The book launch, timed to coincide with the posthumous birthday of former President Muhammadu Buhari, attracted notable figures, including representatives of the late president’s family and former government officials. Mohammed dedicated the first chapter of his book to Buhari, who had written the foreword to Mohammed’s earlier work *Witness to History* thirteen years ago. The volume documents Mohammed’s tenure as Nigeria’s longest‑serving Minister of Information and Culture, covering information management, national orientation, culture and tourism. He explained that the book aims to correct misconceptions, provide context and share firsthand accounts of his time in office, highlighting topics such as government communications during elections, the restoration of the National Theatre, and efforts to counter misinformation on Boko Haram and the “Bring Back Our Girls” movement.
Dignitaries at the event included the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Marwa, and former Osun State Governor Adebisi Akande. The gathering served as an opportunity for leaders to reflect on the importance of documenting their perspectives and experiences, with Makinde urging them to “enrich our history by documenting our perspectives.”
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