Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has come under political criticism following his reference to the historic ‘Operation Wetie’ during a recent opposition political summit in Ibadan, with leading figures in the ruling party describing the comment as inciting and irresponsible ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversy erupted after Makinde, who hosted a gathering of opposition leaders under the theme ‘That we may work together for a united opposition to sustain our democracy’, warned that political tensions in Nigeria risked repeating the violence of the First Republic’s Western Region crisis.
He stated that the infamous Operation Wetie — an era marked by political unrest and violent protests — originated in Ibadan before spreading across the region, urging political actors to reflect on history amid rising political competition.
His remarks triggered backlash from key members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who accused the governor of making statements capable of inflaming political tensions.
Among the most vocal critics was APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who described the governor’s comment as reckless and lacking proper historical context.
Basiru insisted that Operation Wetie was a reaction to electoral manipulation in the 1960s and warned that invoking it in the current political climate was inappropriate.
APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Dr Isaacs Kekemeke, also faulted Makinde’s statement, saying it demonstrated poor understanding of historical events and could be interpreted as a threat of electoral violence.
He further argued that Nigeria’s democracy remains intact with multiple registered political parties and dismissed claims that the country was drifting toward a one-party system.
According to Kekemeke, the opposition’s grievances reflect internal weaknesses rather than systemic exclusion, stressing that the APC has maintained democratic openness while opposition parties struggle with internal divisions.
He added that attempts to form a united opposition coalition ahead of 2027 would collapse due to conflicting interests and lack of cohesion.
The criticism extended to the presidency, with Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, dismissing the opposition’s planned coalition and proposal to field a joint presidential candidate.
He described the initiative as “fragile and opportunistic,” insisting that President Bola Tinubu remains politically strong and on course for re-election based on his administration’s performance.
Dare maintained that the opposition alliance emerging from the Ibadan summit lacked stability and credibility, predicting electoral defeat regardless of whether they field one or multiple candidates.
He further argued that ongoing economic reforms under Tinubu’s administration have strengthened national confidence and governance outcomes.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders who attended the Ibadan summit — including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, and other prominent political figures — announced plans to present a unified presidential candidate in 2027.
They accused the APC-led government of attempting to impose a one-party system and called for electoral reforms, including amendments to the Electoral Act and extension of party primaries deadlines.
The summit also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adjust its election timetable, alleging bias in recent guidelines. Participants insisted their coalition aims to “rescue the nation” and protect multi-party democracy.
