The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying his defection would strengthen the relationship between the state and the Federal Government.
Goronyo made the appeal on Monday during the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the event by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Makinde, who is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), was not present at the ceremony.
While commending Governor Abiodun for his contributions to the development of Ogun State and the wider region, Goronyo said the APC-led Federal Government was committed to accelerating infrastructure development across the country.
He described the ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to its development agenda.
“The central train of development is moving fast under our progressive banner,” the minister said.
Goronyo then directly appealed to Makinde to consider joining the ruling APC, arguing that such a move would allow Oyo State to work more closely with the Federal Government and benefit from President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I therefore warmly welcome and openly invite His Excellency the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Engineer Seyi Makinde, to take the natural giant step into the All Progressives Congress, the APC,” he said.
“Come and align Oyo State fully with the centre under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The minister’s appeal comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and prominent politicians repositioning themselves ahead of the polls.
Makinde has emerged as one of the figures associated with the opposition realignment and is seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election under the APM.
The Ibadan-Ijebu Road dualisation project is expected to improve transportation and connectivity between Oyo and Ogun states, while also enhancing movement along the important regional corridor.
The project’s flag-off attracted several government officials and traditional leaders, including the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Noimat Salako; and Sharafdeen Abiodun Ali, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State.
The Federal Government said the project forms part of its broader infrastructure development efforts aimed at improving road networks and supporting economic activities across the country.
