- Safiu Kehinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has warned of grave consequences allowing oppositions political activites in the country is weakened.
Makinde gave the warning while addressing opposition political parties leaders and their members at the ongoing national summit in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
Delivering his welcome address, the governor harped on the need to strenghten the opposition.
He called for coorperation and sense of responsibility across party lines.
“If we allow opposition to weaken whether by desire or by neglect, we will all bear the consequences.
“This is not a movement of fragmentation. It is not a movement to disengage politically.
“It is a movement to think clearly, to speak honestly, and to act with the sense of responsiblity that goes beyond party lines.” Makinde said.
The governor noted that democracy cannot thrive without opposition.
“Democracy without opposition is not democracy. It is a slow trip towards a one-party state and Nigeria must not make that drift.
“No matter how strong any party becomes, no matter how popular any government may appear, the presence of credible opposition is not a threat to democracy. It is what sustains democracy.” Makinde said.
The Oyo governor also charged Nigerians to take responsibility and protect the opposition movement.
“Nigeria has come too far to pretend that this does not matter and responsibility to ensure that it does not go further than it should belong to all of us.” He added.