Ex-Lawmaker Shehu Sani Mocks Opposition’s Ibadan Summit, Says ‘It’s A Good Talk Shop’

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has taken a swipe at the recent Summit of Opposition Parties held in Ibadan, Oyo State, On Saturday, describing it as a mere “good talk shop” while questioning its broader political implications.

Reacting to the gathering on his verified Facebook handle on Saturday, the former lawmaker noted the existing political climate that enabled such a meeting, asking whether any governor in Northern States would have dared host a similar summit aimed at unseating the incumbent President during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The Ibadan Opposition summit is a good talk shop. But let’s be honest with ourselves; during Buhari’s first term in office (2015–2019), can any governor in the North dare to host a summit of opposition leaders with the objective of ejecting him out of power?” Sani said.

The summit, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House and hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, brought together prominent opposition figures and stakeholders from across the country. Participants included members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), among other political groups.

High-profile attendees at the meeting included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. Also, present were former Osun State governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, alongside political stakeholders such as Kashim Imam.

The gathering also featured factional leaders across party lines, including former Senate President David Mark, ex-Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, and factional PDP national chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, participants adopted a nine-point agenda, now referred to as the “Ibadan Declaration,” aimed at strengthening opposition collaboration ahead of the 2027 general election. A key resolution from the summit was the commitment by participating parties to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate to compete against the incumbent President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.