The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a strong verbal attack on opposition leaders who attended a political summit hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, describing them as “clownish characters” lacking the capacity to strengthen democracy or deliver good governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the ruling party in the state dismissed the gathering as politically insignificant, insisting that neither President Bola Tinubu nor the APC as a whole would be unsettled by what it termed the “antics” of opposition figures preparing for the 2027 elections.
The opposition meeting, held on Saturday in Ibadan, brought together prominent political actors from across several parties in what was described as a national summit aimed at building cooperation and developing strategies ahead of the next general elections.
However, the Oyo APC strongly rejected the significance of the event, arguing that the participants lacked the political strength and seriousness required to challenge the ruling party at the polls.
The statement compared the opposition’s efforts to a futile attempt to compete with a faster opponent, insisting that President Tinubu remained far ahead politically and would not be overtaken by what it described as disorganised opposition forces.
The party also accused some participants of knowingly misrepresenting the strength of the opposition alliance, suggesting that certain figures were aware of its weaknesses but continued to support the gathering regardless.
In its remarks, the APC further criticised Governor Makinde, accusing him of positioning himself as a central figure in opposition politics while questioning his credibility and political record.
The statement escalated its criticism by alleging that the governor lacked the experience and integrity to guide national political discussions, while describing some of his allies at the summit as individuals with poor records in governance.
The party used a series of metaphors to dismiss the opposition’s strategy, suggesting that their plans were disjointed and lacked the necessary structure to pose any real electoral challenge in 2027.
It also responded to comments linked to concerns about potential electoral violence, insisting that the 2027 general elections would be peaceful and credible, and warning that no form of unrest would be tolerated.
Furthermore, the APC suggested that political actors involved in the Ibadan meeting would be held accountable for any actions deemed unlawful in the future, particularly those in public office.
The Ibadan summit itself drew a wide range of political figures from across Nigeria’s opposition landscape, including national chairmen of several parties who signed the communiqué that followed the meeting.
Among the party leaders present were representatives of the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Redemption Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Labour Party, Action Alliance, Allied Peoples Movement, Young Progressives Party, Action Democratic Party and the Zenith Labour Party, among others.
Prominent national political figures also attended the gathering, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Other notable attendees included former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Liyel Imoke and Aminu Tambuwal, alongside former Minister of Information Jerry Gana and political economist Pat Utomi.
The meeting has continued to generate political reactions, reflecting early tensions between the ruling party and opposition blocs as political realignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
