Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has rejected suggestions that his administration is compromised by its association with the All Progressives Congress, saying his government judges people by what they can do, not the party card they carry.
Makinde made the remarks while responding to criticism from within his own People's Democratic Party that he has surrounded himself with too many APC members and sympathisers. The governor argued that such complaints miss the point of what his administration is trying to achieve.
"We are blind to party colouration," Makinde said, emphasizing that his cabinet and advisory team were built on merit. He said the focus has always been on bringing in people with the skills and track record to deliver results for Oyo State residents, regardless of their political history.
The governor's statement addresses a long-running tension within Oyo PDP circles, where some party faithful have questioned why key positions in his government went to politicians and administrators with known APC backgrounds. Some of these figures had held positions under previous administrations or maintained public profiles as APC members before joining Makinde's team.
Makinde has built his political reputation on a pragmatic approach to governance, often emphasizing infrastructure, security and education as his core priorities rather than political ideology. This stance has sometimes put him at odds with party loyalists who see government appointments as rewards for party service and as a way to build political power.
The governor's administration has pursued several major projects across Oyo State, including road construction, school rehabilitation, and healthcare infrastructure improvements. Officials in his government come from varied political backgrounds, a reality that Makinde has previously defended as necessary for effective administration.
The "APC taint" criticism reflects deeper anxieties within the PDP about party unity and loyalty. Some members worry that when their party's officials work too closely with APC-affiliated people, it weakens the party's political identity and messaging. They also fear that such appointments might signal weakness or make it harder to attack the APC during election campaigns.
Makinde's dismissal of these concerns suggests he intends to maintain his current approach to government formation and staffing. He has not indicated any plans to reshuffle his cabinet based on party affiliation, and his comments indicate he sees the criticism as misguided.
How the PDP's national leadership will respond to Makinde's position remains unclear. The party has previously had tensions between its pragmatist and hardline wings, and this dispute over appointments in Oyo could become another flashpoint at party meetings.
