The Laja Adeoye Campaign Organization (LACO) has warmly commended Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his visionary leadership in convening the highly successful National Summit of Opposition Political Parties held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, Ibadan.
In a statement issued by its Campaign Coordinator, Otunba Ademola Alebiosu, LACO described the summit — themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy”, as a timely and courageous gathering that has ignited hope across the nation. The organization particularly hailed the active participation of prominent opposition leaders including former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Prof. Jerry Gana, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Sen. David Mark, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, and other distinguished patriots who put national interest above partisan differences.
“The well-attended summit came at a critical moment when Nigerians are yearning for direction amid the stranglehold and misgovernance of the APC-led administration under President Bola Tinubu,” the statement read. “Governor Makinde’s initiative has shown our people that they are not alone in this wilderness and that credible help is indeed on the way through a united opposition front.”
LACO fully endorses the key resolutions of the Ibadan Declaration issued at the summit, especially the commitment by participating opposition parties to:
– Resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and vigorously defend multi-party democracy;
– Field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections; and
– Work towards presenting a single consensus presidential candidate that will be jointly supported by all opposition parties to rescue the nation and its long-suffering masses.
The organization charged all political actors to set aside personal ambitions and ego in the greater interest of Nigeria, urging them to translate the summit’s resolutions into concrete action and collaboration ahead of 2027. “The benefits of working together far outweigh any lone contest,” it emphasized.
LACO further called on the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to continue standing firmly with the Nigerian people by resisting any attempt by the government to gag press freedom. “All actions of the current administration appear geared towards achieving a one-party state. The media, civil society organisations, and all well-meaning Nigerians must join hands to protect our democracy,” the statement added.
The group also urged the Supreme Court to maintain its consistent position that internal political party affairs are non-justiciable and to deliver a pro-Nigerian verdict on the appeal before it instituted by the PDP, led by Alhaji Taminu Turaki, SAN.
LACO expressed strong support for Governor Makinde’s passionate call for the sustenance of multi-party democracy. The organization noted that those who have twisted his reference to “Operation Wetie” have done so out of context. “Governor Makinde did not call for violence; he was simply reminding the Federal Government not to push the Nigerian people to the wall through reckless misgovernance. Instead of heeding this wise counsel, some have chosen to distort his statement,” the statement clarified.
The Laja Adeoye Campaign Organization commended all participating political parties and leaders for the maturity and statesmanship displayed at the summit, describing the event as a landmark step towards building a formidable coalition that will restore good governance and hope to Nigeria.
Signed:
Otunba Ademola Alebiosu
Campaign Coordinator
Laja Adeoye Campaign Organization (LACO)
