President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday held separate closed-door meetings with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid intensifying political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two governors arrived at the State House at different times, with Mutfwang arriving shortly after 3:00 p.m., while Makinde followed around 3:30 p.m., according to observations by correspondents.
Although details of the meetings were not officially disclosed, the engagements are widely viewed as part of ongoing high-level political consultations as key actors recalibrate alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Governor Makinde, a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remains one of the few opposition governors yet to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid a sustained wave of defections that has weakened the opposition.
Read related news from new daily prime:
Alaafin’s palace denies consultation with Makinde on Oyo Obas council chairmanship
2027: APC rallies North-West appointees, youths for Tinubu
The Oyo governor has also been linked to growing speculation over a possible 2027 presidential ambition, with political observers suggesting he may be positioning himself for the PDP’s presidential ticket.
However, Makinde has repeatedly dismissed rumours of a possible defection to the APC. Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, he reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP.
“No, no, no. I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde said in a video aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
He added that Nigeria’s current challenges require cooperation across party lines, stressing the need for bipartisan engagement in the national interest.
“We may have issues in this country where you need a bipartisan approach — not APC talking alone or PDP talking alone — but looking at the best foot forward in the interest of our nation,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang’s visit, on the other hand, carries added political significance, as it marked his first known meeting with President Tinubu since his recent defection from the PDP to the APC. His switch further strengthens the ruling party’s grip on power at the subnational level.
Political analysts say the meetings underscore President Tinubu’s continued engagement with key state actors across party lines as political alignments take shape ahead of 2027.
While no official statement was issued after the meetings, Thursday’s closed-door engagements are expected to fuel further speculation over emerging alliances, opposition strategy, and the evolving balance of power within Nigeria’s political landscape.
