ADC spokesman to APC: Makinde’s remarks at Ibadan summit a warning, not threat

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has defended comments made by Governor Seyi Makinde, saying they were intended as a warning against threats to democracy, not a provocation.

Abdullahi was reacting to criticism from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over Makinde’s remarks at a recent summit in Ibadan.

In a post on X, Abdullahi said “twisting Governor Makinde’s words won’t change the facts”.

He said the governor was “clearly warning about the dangers of shrinking the democratic space and ignoring the signals that precede instability”.

“References to history are meant to prevent crisis, not provoke it. If you believe in free, fair, and credible elections, there is nothing to fear,” he said.

He, however, warned that “those working to rig outcomes, silence the opposition, and close the democratic space are the only ones who should feel uneasy”.

“History is meant to teach and to warn. History is not meant to threaten anyone except those who are determined to ignore its lessons,” Abdullahi added.

Makinde had, at an opposition summit in Ibadan, made references to historical events while cautioning against actions that could undermine democratic processes in Nigeria.

His remarks drew criticism from the APC, which interpreted them as inflammatory, prompting pushback from opposition figures including the ADC.