Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and another governor elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, January 23, 2026.
Although official details of the discussion were not disclosed, sources close to the Presidency and Oyo Government House indicate the meeting centred on political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, ongoing federal-state relations, infrastructure support for Oyo, and the lingering controversy surrounding the alleged N30 billion diverted from the state’s account during Makinde’s first term (a matter currently under investigation by anti-graft agencies).
The second governor’s identity has not been officially confirmed, but speculation points to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang or a North-Central PDP governor who recently expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s national leadership direction.
The meeting is the latest in a series of high-profile engagements between President Tinubu and opposition governors, following earlier defections and defections-in-talks involving several PDP-controlled states.
In a separate development, President Tinubu approved the immediate posting of four ambassadors-designate to key diplomatic missions:
United States — Ambassador-designate Uzoma Emenike (career diplomat)
United Kingdom — Ambassador-designate Sarafa Isola (career diplomat)
France — Ambassador-designate Yusuf Tuggar (former Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Turkey — Ambassador-designate Rabiu Dagari (career diplomat)
The postings are part of efforts to fill long-vacant ambassadorial positions and strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic representation in strategic capitals.
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
In another significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday dismissed an application seeking to retry retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha over the 1996 murder of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late MKO Abiola.
The apex court held that the prosecution failed to provide compelling new evidence to warrant reopening the case after Al-Mustapha was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal in 2013. The decision brings final closure to one of Nigeria’s most controversial and long-running political murder trials.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com | 08168555497