Makinde Speaks on Political Defections, Says Only ‘Hunger’s Defection’ Matters
Makinde Speaks on Political Defections, Says Only ‘Hunger’s Defection’ Matters
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reacted to the wave of defections by Nigerian politicians, particularly governors leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties, saying the only defection that truly matters is the one that has not happened — the defection of hunger.
Eagles Sight News gathers this In his latest newsletter, Governor Makinde said while political pundits were busy analyzing defections, the real issue facing Nigerians was hunger and poverty, not party realignments.
He said, “I will only be moved when hunger defects into the APC.” According to him, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities while politicians are switching parties, adding that families are being forced to make difficult choices daily.
The governor stressed that the widening inequality in the country should be the main concern of leaders, not political positioning. “While the rich are adjusting, the poor are sinking — and that is what must command our attention,” he said.
Makinde noted that hunger, not partisanship, fuels frustration and hopelessness among citizens. He emphasized that every policy that takes money out of people’s pockets moves them closer to poverty, describing such policies as “not worth defending.”
Referencing “Money: A Story of Humanity” by David McWilliams, Makinde said economic decisions should serve people, not just numbers, insisting that politics must serve humanity.
Reflecting on the PDP’s past, the governor stated that the party once presided over a period of relative prosperity when salaries had value, businesses could plan, and citizens had hope. He called on party members to work toward restoring public trust and repositioning the PDP as a platform that prioritizes people over politics.
Makinde also disclosed that the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan would be more than a gathering of party members, describing it as “an opportunity to reset, reassert our values, and send a clear message that we are focused on rebuilding lives, not merely rebuilding structures of power.”
He reaffirmed his belief that the Nigerian people, not politicians, would ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, adding that the PDP must continue to prove its ability to deliver relief where others have caused pain.
Governor Makinde concluded by urging Nigerians to remain focused and engaged, assuring them that “the hunger that grips our nation today will not last forever.”
“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 said.