Just In: Prominent PDP Governor Speaks on Defecting to APC, Joining 2023 Presidential RaceYour support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. Ibadan, Oyo state - Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo state, has denied plans to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor who appeared as a guest on Channels TV on Thursday, October 21, said he has no intention to contest for the office of the president or vice president in the coming 2023 general elections. Governor Makinde also noted that since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, all the presidents the nation has had emerged "were called". Recommended for you Kirikiri inmate gets access to phone, threatens innocent people, Osinbajo’s... He explained that the previous presidents and the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, were backed by some stakeholders. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app His words: Governor Makinde noted that President Buhari had vowed not to contest for the presidency after he lost to former President Jonathan in 2011, but some stakeholders later endorsed him in 2015. Legit.ng notes that the speculations about the governor’s planned defection may have been fuelled by the current crisis in the Oyo state chapter of the PDP. Recommended for you 2023 presidential election results: Labour Party releases list of Peter Obi... In September, the aggrieved party members from the 33 local government areas in the state at a meeting held in Ibadan passed a vote of no confidence on the governor, asking him to resign from the party. Commenting on the latest development, Afeez Akintola, a youth PDP member from Kajola local government area of the state said though Governor Makinde has debunked the defection rumour, his exit from the party cannot be entirely ruled out if he eventually loses the party’s structure to the aggrieved members. Akintola who belongs to the aggrieved faction, however, noted that a reconciliation process has started. He told Legit.ng: Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has revealed three prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the north who are interested in taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari. Recommended for you "Daddy Falana, Debo is my friend": Actor Lege reacts as Mr Macaroni sues hi... After the zoning of the PDP's national chairmanship seat to the north, many analysts had expected that the opposition party will zone its presidential ticket to the north. However, some prominent members of the party have hinted that the presidential ticket may be thrown open to all zones. The Oyo state governor said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state have indicated an interest in the number one political seat. Source: Legit.ng Governor Makinde has said he has no plan to defect from the opposition PDP to the ruling APC ahead of 2023 The Oyo state governor who is in his first term in office also said he has no plan to join the 2023 presidential race Makinde also listed three prominent politicians from the north who have reportedly indicated an interest in the presidency Your support matters. Sustain independent journalism in Nigeria – contribute to Legit.ng. Ibadan, Oyo state - Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app Legit.ng Legit.ng “For this republic, there has been President Obasanjo, President Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, and now President Buhari. “All of them, if you look at them, they were called. Some stakeholders got together and said, ‘look at this particular time, this is who we really want to use.” “Reconciliation is ongoing and whatever happens at the party’s national convention will determine the way forward.”