The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the recent Ibadan summit of opposition figures, describing it as a “ruse” and an assemblage of individuals rather than a legitimate meeting of political parties.
APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, made the remarks in an interview with _The Nation_, where he faulted the credibility of the gathering.
“The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was an assemblage of individuals, not ten political parties,” Basiru said. “For parties to meet, there must be prior authorisation from their NWC or NEC. Without that, it is simply a gathering of individuals.”
The APC scribe argued that the absence of formal approval from the National Working Committee (NWC) or National Executive Committee (NEC) of the parties allegedly involved renders the meeting politically inconsequential.
He also challenged the narrative emerging from the summit, saying it contradicts earlier claims by opposition elements.
“If they now claim that ten political parties met to gang up against one party, it contradicts their earlier narrative. It shows that the political space remains open, but they lack the strength to compete individually,” Basiru stated.
The Ibadan summit, which drew political figures from various opposition platforms, had been touted by organisers as a step toward building a coalition ahead of future elections.
But the APC maintains that the meeting has no binding effect on the parties mentioned, insisting that only duly authorised organs can commit political parties to such alliances.
Basiru’s comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition parties to forge common fronts following a wave of defections to the ruling APC and the party’s increasing dominance in the National Assembly.
The APC National Secretary maintained that the ruling party remains focused on governance and delivering on its mandate, adding that it will not be distracted by what he called “political theatrics.”
