The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has warned that weakening political opposition could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Makinde made the remarks on Saturday at an opposition leaders’ summit held in Ibadan, which the organisers say aimed at strengthening coordination among political parties.
The summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” was described by organisers as a response to growing national concerns over governance, security, and economic pressures.
The event, hosted at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, brought together leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other political groups.
Speaking at the event, Makinde said the meeting was not about division or confrontation but about responsible political engagement, stressing that the goal was to promote thoughtful and responsible engagement across party lines in the interest of national stability.
He said, “If we allow opposition to weaken, whether by design or by neglect, then we all bear the consequences. So this is not a movement for fragmentation, it is not a movement for violence, and it is certainly not a movement to disengage politically.
“It is a movement to think clearly, to speak honestly, and to act with a sense of responsibility that goes beyond party lines.”
Makinde noted that Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require collaboration and honest dialogue among political actors.
He added, “Nigeria has gone too far to pretend that this does not matter, and the responsibility to ensure that it does not go further than it should belongs to all of us.
“So I welcome you to Ibadan, and I wish us a successful deliberation. Thank you, and God bless you.”