Governor Seyi MakindeOyo Governor urges Nigerians to look beyond party switches, insisting that only the “defection” of hunger and poverty will bring real progress
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the most meaningful defection Nigerians should be talking about is not the migration of politicians from one party to another, but the departure of hunger and poverty from the lives of the people.
In his bi-monthly newsletter released on Thursday, the governor reflected on the wave of political defections sweeping across the country, especially among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). He argued that while such movements dominate national headlines, they do little to alleviate the daily struggles of millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship, unemployment, and surging prices of essential goods.
“The most important defection that must happen in Nigeria is the defection of hunger and poverty from our midst,” Makinde said. “Until hunger defects from our homes, until poverty defects from our society, no political movement or alliance will bring real change.”
The governor’s message comes at a time when economic hardship has deepened nationwide. Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, the cost of living has reached unprecedented levels. Many families now survive on one meal a day, while small businesses are collapsing under the pressure of rising operational costs.
Makinde’s statement reflects the growing frustration among citizens who feel alienated from the endless political manoeuvres taking place in Abuja and state capitals. He emphasized that the continuous political defections, though routine in Nigeria’s democracy, do not translate into improved living conditions for ordinary people.
“Let us not be distracted by the noise,” he cautioned. “The defections that dominate the news may be interesting to politicians, but they are meaningless to the market woman who cannot afford a bag of rice or the student who skips meals just to pay school fees.”
The governor stressed that the real victory for the country would come when citizens are free from the crippling effects of inflation and poverty, not when politicians switch allegiance for personal ambition. He urged Nigerians to remain focused on the issues that truly matter, food security, job creation, healthcare, and quality education.
According to Makinde, real transformation will only occur when Nigerians themselves take a stand and demand accountability from their leaders. He projected that the 2027 general elections would not be decided by the number of political defections or alliances but by the collective will of the people.
“Only the Nigerian people, not defections or political manoeuvres, will decide the outcome of 2027,” he said. “Real progress is not measured by who defects or who stays. It is measured by how many Nigerians can go to bed without hunger, how many children can go to school without fear, and how many families can live in dignity. That is the only defection that should matter.”
Makinde also reassured citizens that the current hardship, though painful, is not permanent. He called for continued faith in the nation’s potential for recovery, stressing that reforms focused on people’s welfare must take precedence over politics. “We must not normalise hardship,” he wrote. “We must not lose faith that things can get better. If we stay engaged, if we continue to demand accountability, the days of hunger and deprivation will not last forever.”
His comments have resonated widely across social media, where many Nigerians have applauded the governor for speaking truth to power. Several users described his words as a “refreshing reality check” amid the ongoing political drama. Others, however, challenged him to back his words with concrete action, reminding him that state governments also have a responsibility to implement policies that promote food security and support small enterprises.
For decades, Nigeria’s politics has been characterized by cross-carpeting among politicians driven largely by personal or electoral interests rather than genuine ideological differences. Yet, despite these shifts, the average Nigerian continues to battle rising food prices, low wages, and inadequate access to social services.
Makinde’s metaphorical use of “defection” to describe the need for economic transformation has struck a chord with many citizens who believe that leadership should focus more on people’s welfare than political power games. It captures the frustration of a nation weary of broken promises and desperate for change that reflects in everyday life.
As one trader in Ibadan expressed, “All these defections don’t feed us. What we want is food on the table, jobs for our children, and peace in the country.”
Makinde’s message serves as a sharp reminder that the future of Nigeria will not be shaped by political opportunism but by leaders who can provide solutions to hunger, unemployment, and insecurity. While political figures continue to switch sides in preparation for the next election cycle, millions of Nigerians remain more concerned about survival than political alignments.
In the end, the governor’s words echo a deeper truth, that until hunger, poverty, and despair defect from Nigerian homes, every other defection is just noise.
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