Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has poured cold water on growing rumours of a political switch, insisting he is not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the recent wave of defections rocking the opposition.

Makinde made the declaration after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where he was confronted with questions over reports that some PDP governors and key figures were pitching their tents with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Asked directly whether he was weighing a move to the APC, the governor dismissed the speculation, saying his political loyalty remains firmly rooted in the PDP.

“I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde declared.

“Again, we may have issues in this country where a bipartisan approach is required. It shouldn’t be a situation where only the APC is talking or only the PDP is talking. We must look at what puts our best foot forward in the interest of our nation.”

He stressed that when national interest is on the line, party boundaries should not become barriers to progress.

“At that point, you need everybody on board,” he added.

Makinde’s remarks project a careful balance, signalling openness to cross-party collaboration at the national level, while clearly rejecting any immediate plans to dump the PDP for the APC.

The governor met President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, arriving shortly after Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who recently dumped the PDP for the APC, had also checked into the State House, a timing that further fuelled defection rumours Makinde has now publicly dismissed.