Makinde says the only defection that matters is when hunger leaves Nigeria
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the most significant defection Nigerians should be concerned about is not between political parties, but the defection of hunger and poverty from their daily lives.
In his bi-monthly newsletter released on Thursday, the governor reflected on the recent wave of defections among politicians, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that while such political moves often dominate headlines, they add little to the lives of ordinary Nigerians who continue to battle rising food prices, joblessness, and economic frustration.
Makinde argued that the true victory for Nigeria will not come from politicians changing parties but from citizens overcoming the crushing effects of inflation and poverty. He described hunger as the “defection that truly matters,” pointing out that most Nigerians now struggle to meet their most basic needs: food, housing, and healthcare while politicians focus on personal ambitions.
“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 remarks come at a time when economic hardship has deepened across the country. The removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira have pushed the cost of living to record highs. Many families now survive on one meal a day, while small businesses are shutting down due to high operating costs. Makinde’s message reflects the growing frustration among Nigerians who feel disconnected from the political dramas unfolding in Abuja and state capitals.
He emphasised that political defections, while routine in Nigerian politics, do little to address the real issues affecting the people. “Let us not be distracted by the noise,” he said. “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 has to skip meals to pay school fees.”
According to Makinde, real change will come only when Nigerians themselves decide that enough is enough and demand better governance. He said the 2027 general elections would not be decided by defections or alliances but by the people’s will to hold leaders accountable. “Only the Nigerian people, not defections or political manoeuvres, will decide the outcome of 2027,” he stated.
Makinde urged citizens not to lose hope despite the current economic challenges. He assured them that the situation is temporary if the nation remains committed to reforms that prioritize people’s welfare 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 with many Nigerians who see the endless cross-carpeting of politicians as a sign of opportunism rather than ideological conviction. For decades, political defections have been a feature of Nigeria’s democracy, often driven by personal interests or electoral calculations rather than the desire to improve governance. Yet, the average Nigerian has seen little improvement in living standards regardless of which party is in power.
Makinde’s statement subtly shifts attention from the political class to the real struggles of the people. It highlights a growing disconnect between Nigeria’s leaders and citizens who face daily hardship. The governor’s framing of “defection” as a metaphor for economic transformation captures the frustration of a population that feels trapped in cycles of poverty and broken promises.
Across social media, some Nigerians have applauded Makinde’s comments, describing them as a “refreshing truth” amid the political noise. Others, however, have challenged him to match words with action, noting that state governments also have a role in reducing hunger through policies that boost food production and support small businesses.
For many, the governor’s words speak to a deeper yearning for leadership that prioritizes human welfare over power struggles. As one trader in Ibadan put it, “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 is a reminder that Nigeria’s political future will ultimately be shaped not by elite deals but by how effectively leaders can address the basic needs of the people. While political figures continue to move between parties in preparation for 2027, millions of Nigerians are more concerned about how to afford their next meal than who joins or leaves the APC or PDP.
As the governor concluded in his newsletter, “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.”
