Opposition Parties Reject Ibadan Summit Alliance

IBADAN, OYO STATE — Factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Accord Party and Labour Party have distanced themselves from the opposition summit held here on Saturday, insisting it does not speak for their official positions.

The parties reaffirmed their resolve to field separate presidential candidates in the 2027 general elections against President Bola Tinubu.

The summit brought together a PDP faction aligned with Governor Seyi Makinde, the ADC group led by former Senate President David Mark, and other opposition figures who issued a communique vowing to resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Addressing participants, Makinde cautioned the Federal Government against suppressing the will of Nigerians and recalled the 1965 “Operation Wetie” crisis that erupted in Western Nigeria after disputed elections and a power struggle within the old Action Group.

The PDP National Working Committee, backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, described the summit as the work of impostors who misled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso and others.

In separate interviews with NaijaChoice News correspondents, PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed said the genuine leadership under Abdurahman Muhammad and Senator Samuel Anyanwu had no hand in the gathering and would pursue its own candidate.

Both factions of the ADC also rejected the summit. Interim National Chairman Kingsley Ogga and the Nafiu Gombe-led group said the party was not represented and should focus first on resolving its internal leadership crisis before any alliance talks.

Labour Party Interim National Chairman Nenadi Usman, through her media adviser, made it clear the party was not involved and would concentrate on its national convention scheduled for Tuesday.

The Prof Chris Imumolen-led Accord Party described the use of its name and flag at the event as political impersonation and gave the conveners 48 hours to explain or face legal action.

The ruling All Progressives Congress condemned Governor Makinde’s reference to “Operation Wetie,” calling the remarks reckless incitement that threatens national stability and unfit for a sitting governor.

The Wike-backed PDP equally criticised the historical allusion, urging security agencies to investigate and warning that violence has no place in Nigeria’s democracy.

The fractured response to the Ibadan summit underscores the deep divisions within the opposition and the steep challenge of forging a credible alliance ahead of 2027.