Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has clarified that the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders held in Ibadan on Saturday was not aimed at any individual. The gathering took place at the newly-constructed Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House. Makinde emphasized that the meeting's purpose was to strengthen Nigeria's democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. He rejected claims that the event was a coordinated effort against a specific political figure. "Let me also be clear about what this meeting is not. It is not a gang-up against one man, and it is not about individual ambitions to be president," Makinde said. According to him, the focus was on ensuring a competitive political environment and preserving democratic values. He warned that democracy without opposition risks a slow drift toward a one-party state. Makinde stressed that credible opposition is essential to sustaining democracy, regardless of any ruling party's strength. He cautioned that weakening opposition voices, whether by design or neglect, would have serious consequences for Nigeria's democratic future. The summit brought together leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Attendees included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, Pat Utomi, and Jerry Gana. A post-summit communiqué called for INEC to extend the deadline for party primaries to July 2026 and urged the National Assembly to review the Electoral Act, 2026 (as amended). The opposition leaders agreed to unite behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Seyi Makinde claims the Ibadan summit was not a gang-up against one man, yet the opposition leaders present have all previously opposed President Tinubu. They agreed to back a single candidate to challenge him in 2027, which contradicts the claim that the meeting was not targeted at an individual. The push for a unified front directly centers on defeating Tinubu, making the gathering political in both intent and outcome. If the summit was truly about democracy and not personalities, the plan to consolidate against a named incumbent would not be its central outcome.
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