Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has suggested that his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election may have created bad blood between him and President Bola Tinubu, whom he supported during the 2023 general election.

Makinde made the disclosure during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, while reflecting on the change in his relationship with the President and his decision to challenge him in the next election.

The governor said he could only speculate that individuals might have informed Tinubu about his intention to contest against him, thereby creating tension between them.

“Well, I can only guess. Yes, please. You know, people talk a lot. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, Seyi may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he said.

Makinde recalled his political support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, saying he had helped mobilise votes for the President in Oyo State.

He also recounted a meeting involving Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during which he reportedly assured the President that he would help maintain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor said his support for Wike during the 2023 PDP presidential primary further demonstrated that he was not then pursuing a personal presidential ambition.

He also disclosed that associates of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had approached him in 2023 to consider joining his presidential ticket, but he declined, saying he had not spent enough time in public service to take on such a responsibility.

Makinde further expressed disappointment over what he described as Tinubu's failure to contact him during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He said he had attempted to meet the President during the 56-day captivity of the victims, expecting the Federal Government to show concern and support the state in addressing the security crisis.

“I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidnapped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the president should be interested. Actually, I expected the president to call me,” he said.

Asked whether Tinubu eventually contacted him, Makinde replied that the President had not reached out.

He added that he also attempted to contact Tinubu through the State Chief of Protocol but received no response.

The governor maintained that he had never spoken directly with the President about any matter, insisting that he remained focused on governing Oyo State.

Makinde is seeking the presidency in 2027 on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), setting up a contest against Tinubu, who is seeking re-election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).