*Factional PDP Challenges Oyo Gov To Return His Children To Nigeria For ‘Operation Wetie’
*Oyo PDP Guber Hopeful, Oguntoyinbo, Salutes Makinde, Opposition Leaders Over Summit
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
A group, Save Oyo Movement (SOM), has accused Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, of wasting another N2 billion on the opposition leaders’ political summit held in Ibadan on Saturday.
The group alleged that Gov. Makinde had lavished over N10 billion from the N30 billion received from the Federal Government for victims of the January 2024 Ibadan explosion on his bid to be vice presidential candidate of any political party.
In a release signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Akeem Oladiti, and made available to journalists yesterday, the SOM called for investigation into the matter by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The group, which disclosed that it will petition the EFCC and ICPC, wondered how a governor would collect N30 billion for explosion victims since 2024, and keep the money, only to allegedly spend it on his political ambition.
It further alleged that over N5 billion was spent on the 15-16 November 2025 “failed Peoples Democratic Party National Convention” held in Ibadan, while another N1.5 billion was spent on the “failed coronation ceremony,” in which the three Ibadan high chiefs to be coronated, did not show up.
“The main target of his coronation was Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who is being touted as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, forgetting that being a traditional ruler does not prevent anyone from aspiring into public offices.
“Now, mindful of his dwindled political fortune, Governor Makinde hurriedly organised the political summit held in Ibadan yesterday (Saturday), just to sell his ambition to be vice presidential candidate; and on it, over N2 billion Oyo State money was spent.
“Even though we are not against the governor, or anyone, having political ambition and pursuing it, but it must not be at the expense of the welfare of the people of Oyo State. And on this one, we will do all that we can to make Governor Makinde account for his wasteful spending of the state funds,” the group said.
Factional PDP Challenges Makinde To Return His Children To Nigeria For ‘Operation Wetie’
Meanwhile, South-West chapter of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told Makinde to ensure that all his children return to Nigeria, allegedly from abroad where they are schooling, to be part of the ‘Operation Wetie’ (political violence) that he preached in Ibadan at the weekend, during the political summit.
Makinde had invoked the violent political history of the South-West, especially of the mid-1960s, to warn the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to steer the nation’s ship of democracy properly and fairly.
Reacting through its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Akinloye Oyeniyi, the factional PDP disowned the summit, saying, “the meeting was a jamboree staged to revive Governor Seyi Makinde’s dwindling political fortune and hand him the vice presidential candidate’s ticket of the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC).”
The party, which also described Makinde’s comment as reckless, and unbecoming of a sitting governor, added that the South-West would not be available to be used as a “political war zone by any disgruntled and selfish politician.”
Clarifying the status of the meeting, Oyeniyi said: “The event was a meeting of a coalition masquerading as an all-opposition parties summit. It did not represent the PDP or the broader opposition in Nigeria. Rather, it’s to serve the interest of the person whose scheming is to get the vice presidential ticket of the coalition through the back door.”
The party commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for staying away from the meeting, saying his absence made it clear to the world that he was not part of the group.
Oyeniyi further alleged that the summit was convened by Gov. Makinde as a face-saving move.
“The governor has swallowed embers that are now burning his chest, reason he assembled those whose records do not reflect seriousness, in Ibadan, to chart a fresh course into further chaos in their coalition,” he said.
The statement addressed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and few others, reported to have attended the summit, urging them to emulate the statesmanship displayed by former President Obasanjo and ensure their names were not associated with endless controversy.
“The chairman of that already failed and defeatist occasion did not show up. It is not an event to be graced by any reasonable and reputable person,” the statement added.
Addressing the Oyo State governor directly, the party said: “There is a difference between influence and illusion. This latest political fakery has again confirmed your self-inflicted free fall from grace; and the people of Oyo State shall speak clearly against all these relentless chaos in 2027.”
The party thanked its members in the zone and maintained that it remained committed to providing credible opposition and a viable alternative for Nigerians, but would not be part of gatherings designed to deceive the public.
Oyo PDP Guber Hopeful Oguntoyinbo, Salutes Makinde , Opposition Leaders, Over Summit
But, as one man’s meat is another’s poison, leading PDP governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, rather applauded the leadership of the country’s opposition parties on their decision to field a single presidential candidate, in order to wrestle power from the grip of the ruling APC in 2027.
The leaders reached the agreement during the opposition political leaders’ summit.
Oguntoyinbo said the decision by the leaders was not only solid, but a commendable decision to save Nigeria’s democracy from its downward spiral.
The summit was attended by prominent opposition leaders in the country, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; the Kwankwasiya Movement leader and former Kano State governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; former governors Aminu Tambuwal, Abdulfatai Ahmed and Rauf Aregbesola as well as Gov. Makinde, among others.
Oguntoyinbo, while speaking on the sidelines of the summit, commended Gov. Makinde for successfully hosting the summit, saying it was a testimony to Makinde’s administrative and political sagacity.
He insisted that the decision by the opposition leaders to field a single presidential candidate against the APC candidate would surely ensure the wrestling of power from the APC in 2027.
He said the decision showed the selflessness of the opposition leaders and their steadfast move to save Nigeria’s democracy which he said was heading for a one-party system under the rule of APC.
He said the opposition leaders should not allow the ruling APC to disrupt their unity and sense of purpose, saying their unity was what would save the downtrodden who were “already becoming hopeless with the hard policies of the ruling APC.”
According to him, “I commend the decision of the opposition leaders to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 presidential election. This decision is a wise decision and one that will lead to the victory of the opposition parties in the 2027 election.
“The summit is timely and necessary. Nigeria’s democratic future depends on the ability of opposition parties to rise above individual interests and work collectively. Their selfless decisions is more pleasing; it showed strong minds coming together at this time in the nation’s history.
“This initiative of historic convergence of progressive minds would strengthen political alternatives and deepen democratic values. The message of unity resonating from Ibadan must translate into concrete political action capable of delivering good governance and restoring public confidence in leadership.
“Let me also commend our leader, Engr Seyi Makinde for the brilliant idea of hosting several opposition pleaders in Ibadan. The success of the summit is a clear testimony of the brilliance and administrative acumen of the Oyo State governor.
“I pray that Governor Makinde’s determination to ensure the survival of the nation’s democracy will receive positive responses from all well-meaning Nigerians.”
