The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed suggestions that the recent gathering of opposition political leaders in Ibadan ahead of the 2027 general elections was directed at any particular individual.
Makinde made the clarification on Saturday at the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders, held at the newly inaugurated Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan. He said the meeting was not driven by personal or political rivalry, but by a broader concern for Nigeria’s democratic system.
According to him, the summit was convened to strengthen democratic institutions and preserve political competition in the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the gathering was not a coalition against any politician or ambition for office, but rather a collective effort to protect democracy.
Makinde warned against any move toward a one-party system, saying such a development would weaken democratic governance. He added that democracy can only thrive when credible opposition exists to provide balance and accountability.
He further noted that weakening opposition voices—whether intentionally or through neglect—could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s political future.
The Ibadan summit is being viewed as part of ongoing consultations among opposition figures ahead of the next general elections, with increasing discussions around alliances, electoral strategy, and governance reforms.
At the meeting, opposition leaders reportedly agreed on the need to present a united front in 2027 and consider fielding a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
The event brought together prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, among several other opposition leaders and stakeholders.
Participating parties included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other smaller political groups.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, the parties also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) to extend the deadline for party primaries to July 2026. They further urged a review of the Electoral Act to strengthen electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speakers at the summit, including political economist Pat Utomi, former INEC commissioner Mike Igini, and security expert Kabiru Adamu, warned about governance challenges and called for urgent reforms to protect Nigeria’s democratic process.
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