The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed participants at a political gathering hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, describing them as unserious actors incapable of strengthening democracy or delivering good governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party said the meeting posed no threat to President Bola Tinubu or the ruling APC, insisting that neither the president nor party members were concerned about the activities of opposition figures.
“They are just wasting their time as it is just impossible for them to catch up with a man who is several kilometres ahead of them in a marathon,” the statement added.
The APC’s reaction followed Saturday’s one-day Opposition Political Parties National Summit held in Ibadan, where key figures from various opposition parties converged to deliberate on strategies aimed at unseating the APC in the 2027 general elections.
According to Sadare, the opposition lacked the seriousness required to challenge the incumbent administration, maintaining that their efforts would not yield meaningful results.
“Funny enough, there are some individuals among these opposition jesters who know that President Tinubu travels at the speed of light to outpace his opponents when it comes to real politics, but they would not say the truth to their co-travellers because a dog that is destined for perdition would not mind the whistle of the hunter.
“It is even shameful that Governor Makinde, who has established himself as a naive and deceitful political player, is now the moral compass for some politicians who have recorded irredeemable failures in politics and governance in the past.
“As it stands now, they have gathered only palm fronds to fix a damaged vehicle, even as they look in the direction of fishermen for technical support.
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The ‘Operation Wetie’ threat, which came from Gov. Makinde, would not be taken with a pinch of salt as it was a revelation, but he should realise that no unrest or violence will mar the 2027 general elections.
“The polls will be hitch-free and credible, while he (Makinde) will not find an avenue to escape from the country before May 29, 2027, so that he will be made to answer for the many cases of abuse of office and corruption hanging on his neck.”
The summit drew several prominent opposition leaders and party officials from across the country. Among those who endorsed the gathering were national chairmen of multiple political parties, including David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party, Ajuji Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Cleopas Moses of the National Democratic Coalition, Nenadi Usman of the Labour Party, Uche Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party, and Mgbudem Maxwell of Accord.
Others included Yusuf Dantalle of the Allied Peoples Movement, Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the Young Progressives Party, Yabagi Sani of the Action Democratic Party, and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party.
High-profile attendees at the event featured former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Seyi Makinde, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Also present were former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Information Jerry Gana, political economist Pat Utomi, and Kashim Ibrahim, among others.