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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has urged opposition parties in Nigeria to remain united, warning that a weak opposition could threaten the country’s democracy.
Makinde spoke on Saturday at an opposition leaders’ summit in Ibadan organised to improve cooperation among political parties.
The meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, brought together leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party and other groups.
Addressing participants, the governor said the gathering was not intended to create division or promote confrontation, but to encourage responsible political participation.
He said allowing the opposition to weaken, whether deliberately or through neglect, would have serious consequences for the nation.
“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.”
Makinde added that the objective was to promote honest dialogue, clear thinking and action driven by national interest rather than party loyalty.
He said Nigeria’s current economic, security and governance challenges require cooperation among political actors and sincere engagement across party lines.
According to him, the country has made too much progress to ignore these concerns, adding that safeguarding democracy is a collective responsibility.
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 concerns over governance, insecurity and economic hardship.
