“Economic Stability Without Development”: Makinde Opens Up on Tinubu Relationship, 2027 Ambition

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, Seyi Makinde, has explained why he supported President Bola Tinubu in 2023 but will challenge him in 2027.

He cited four major concerns about the administration and revealed that the President never contacted him during the 56-day captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

The disclosure was made in a newsletter on Thursday, November 12, 2026, and in an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Friday, November 13, 2026, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE 2023 SUPPORT

Makinde recalled that he backed Tinubu because he believed the President could unite Nigerians, build a government based on competence, and address the country’s economic challenges.

“I supported President Tinubu in 2023 because I believed his experience and political relationships could help him bring Nigerians together. One thing I have always acknowledged about him is his ability to build bridges across political divides. I believed he could use that ability to establish a government of national unity and competence, focused on improving the lives of Nigerians,” he said .

THE FOUR CONCERNS

Makinde identified four major reasons for his decision to challenge Tinubu in 2027.

First, he cited “economic stability without economic development.” While acknowledging improvements in some macroeconomic indicators, he said such gains had not translated into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians. “Also, contrary to the formula President Tinubu claims to be following, economic stabilisation and development are not necessarily sequential. Nigerians did not have to endure this level of hardship while waiting for development to begin,” he said .

Second, he accused the administration of “governing by excuses.””Every government inherits problems, but it is elected to solve them. Over three years into this administration, we are still hearing explanations about inherited poverty, insecurity, electricity problems and other challenges, when Nigerians should be seeing more measurable progress towards resolving them” .

Third, on national unity, Makinde said he had expected Tinubu’s political experience and ability to build alliances to produce a government that brought capable Nigerians together.

“Instead, I have come to believe that his political alliances serve his political objectives more than the national interest, and I am deeply concerned about the weakening of opposition parties, which are essential to a functioning democracy”.

Fourth, he criticised “economic reforms without adequate protection for Nigerians.” Although he supported reforms to the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange systems, Makinde said the government should have prepared measures to protect citizens from the resulting hardship.

He said millions of Nigerians who were already struggling were exposed to further difficulties before sufficient support measures were put in place .

“WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY”

Makinde said he would have handled the removal of petrol subsidy differently, arguing that the Federal Government should have prepared measures to cushion its effects before implementing the policy.

He said the presidential transition period could have been used to plan interventions in collaboration with state governors, adding that President Tinubu was aware of the possible consequences of subsidy removal.

Makinde recalled that Tinubu had opposed the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy in 2012, when former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to end the policy.

He also said the President had witnessed the petrol and naira scarcity crises before the 2023 elections and was aware of the hardship Nigerians were facing .

THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIP

In the Arise Television interview, Makinde revealed that Tinubu never contacted him during the 56-day captivity of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

“I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidnapped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the President should be interested. Actually, I expected the President to call me,” he said.

Asked whether Tinubu called him, Makinde replied: “He did not. No. Till tomorrow.”

He explained that he also contacted the State Chief of Protocol in an attempt to reach the President, but the official did not answer his call.

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“I’m saying it again that till tomorrow I’ve not spoken directly with the President, about anything. I’m just minding my own business, running Oyo State. And I’m not complaining,” he said.

Asked what caused the breakdown in their relationship, Makinde said he could only speculate. “Well, I can only hazard a guess. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, he may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he said.

THE KIDNAPPING CRISIS

The pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The Nigerian Army announced their rescue on July 10, following a security operation involving multiple agencies.

Makinde had publicly thanked Tinubu and security agencies after the victims were rescued, describing their release as a major relief .

WHY IT MATTERS

Makinde’s disclosure is a political bombshell. He is not just saying that he disagrees with Tinubu’s policies. He is saying that the President did not call him when children were kidnapped in his state.

He is saying that the relationship has broken down so completely that they have not spoken directly about anything since 2023.

And he is saying that he believes the breakdown may be connected to his political ambitions.

For Tinubu, the allegation is damaging. A President who does not call a governor during a kidnapping crisis in his state is a President who is seen as detached, indifferent, or politically motivated.

The fact that Makinde supported Tinubu in 2023 makes the silence even more striking.

For Makinde, the disclosure is a declaration of independence. He is no longer a supporter. He is a challenger. And he is making clear that his challenge is not personal. It is about the future of Nigeria.

The campaign has begun. The relationship is broken. And the 2027 election will be fought on the terrain of governance, competence, and the willingness of a President to pick up the phone. ValidViewNetwork reports.