Works Minister Urges Makinde to Join APC, Align Oyo With Tinubu’s Government

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has urged Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Goronyo made the call on Monday during the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

Makinde, who is seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), was absent from the event.

While commending Abiodun for his contributions to the development of Ogun State and the wider region, Goronyo said the APC-led Federal Government was accelerating infrastructure development across the country.

“The central train of development is moving fast under our progressive banner,” the minister said.

Goronyo subsequently extended an open invitation to Makinde to join the ruling party, describing the move as an opportunity for Oyo State to align more closely with the Federal Government and benefit from President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I therefore warmly welcome and openly invite His Excellency the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Engineer Seyi Makinde, to take the natural giant step into the All Progressives Congress, the APC,” he said.

“Come and align Oyo State fully with the centre under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Makinde is currently pursuing a presidential bid on the APM platform ahead of the 2027 elections, amid increasing political realignments and defections across the country.

The minister’s invitation came as federal and state officials gathered for the commencement of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road dualisation project, which is expected to improve connectivity between Ibadan in Oyo State and Ijebu in Ogun State.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimat Salako-Oyedele; and the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli.