By The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible for escalating political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections, dismissing recent criticisms of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as misplaced and hypocritical. The party’s position follows reactions trailing Makinde’s remarks at the opposition parties’ summit held in Ibadan on April 25, 2026.
In a press statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP rejected claims that the governor’s reference to the historical “Operation Wetie” crisis amounted to incitement. Instead, the party described the remarks as a legitimate warning grounded in Nigeria’s political history.
The statement argued that Makinde’s comments were intended as a caution to the ruling party, highlighting the dangers of suppressing opposition voices. According to the statement, the PDP insisted that the governor merely drew lessons from history to prevent a repeat of past chaos.
“Only a guilty aggressor can interpret it to mean a threat or call to violence,” it explained.
Ememobong emphasized that political unrest often arises when governance is overtaken by greed and the frustrations of citizens are ignored. He noted that Makinde’s speech served as a caution and reminder that unrest often arises when political greed, disguised as patriotism, replaces good governance.
“A sobering reminder that when insatiable political greed replaces patriotism and good governance… the resultant conflagration will be of immeasurable proportion,” it added.
The PDP further alleged that current political developments under the APC mirror the conditions that led to the violent crises of the past, warning that repeating such patterns amounts to “political recklessness.” The party maintained that suppressing dissent while expecting stability is unrealistic and dangerous.
In a reminder, the PDP recalled that the APC, while in opposition, had made inflammatory statements, including threats to make the country ungovernable. It argued that such a history undermines the APC’s moral standing to accuse others of incitement over what it termed “a mere historical recollection.”
The opposition party also accused the APC-led government of pursuing a strategy aimed at weakening opposition forces through intimidation, inducement, and persecution. It warned that any attempt to establish a one-party state would be resisted through lawful and strategic means.
Concluding, the PDP placed responsibility for any potential electoral violence squarely on the Federal Government, the APC, and key democratic institutions, including INEC. The party asserted that Nigerians are aware of the political dynamics at play and would not be misled by what it described as the ruling party’s attempt to “play the victim.”
