The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday came hard on Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his reference to the “Operation Wetie” crisis during an opposition parties’ summit held in Ibadan, describing the remark as inciting and historically misplaced.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and its South-West National Vice Chairman, Isaacs Kekemeke, led the criticism, while several Nigerians also faulted the governor’s statement on social media.
Makinde’s Remark That Sparked Outrage
Makinde, who hosted the summit themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” had, in his welcome address, warned against alleged moves to consolidate legislative control under one party.
He referenced the violent political era of the First Republic, noting that the infamous “Operation Wetie” began in Ibadan before spreading across the old Western Region.
“Those that are carrying on as if there’s no tomorrow… should remember that Operation Wetie started from here. This is the same Wild Wild West,” the Oyo State Governor said.
Operation Wetie, a Yoruba phrase meaning “soak him,” refers to a period in the early 1960s when perceived political opponents were doused with petrol and set ablaze amid protests over electoral manipulation and governance crises that eventually contributed to the collapse of civil rule in 1966.
Makinde’s Statement Irresponsible, Inciting – Says APC
Reacting, Basiru said the governor’s comment was reckless and lacked proper context.
“It is irresponsible for a governor to make inciting statements without context,” The Nation quoted Basiru as stating.
He argued that Operation Wetie was a reaction to widespread electoral manipulation at the time, adding that the present opposition’s complaints were unfounded.
“Today, the opposition is simply belly-aching because the APC is organised while they are in streams,” Basiru stated.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians to condemn Makinde’s remarks, accusing the governor of displaying a “tendency for violence,” and urged him to “hide his political frustration under the banner of civility.”
Also reacting, Kekemeke said Makinde’s comment could be interpreted as suggesting that the 2027 elections might be determined through violence.
He insisted that allegations that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state under President Bola Tinubu were baseless.
According to him, democracy cannot exist without opposition, stressing that the Federal Government does not seek to emasculate dissenting voices.
“It is a figment of hyperactive imagination for any member of the opposition to insinuate a one-party state in a country where over 20 political parties are on the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.
Kekemeke added that the current opposition lacked the strategy and discipline that once helped them navigate their way to power.
‘Opposition Suffering From Disarray’
The APC chieftain blamed the opposition’s challenges on poor organisation, lack of focus, and internal crises, insisting that they were wrongly attributing their problems to the ruling party.
He queried whether the APC should be blamed for internal disputes within opposition parties, including leadership tussles and alleged violations of court orders.
“Is the APC or Federal Government responsible for the inability of opposition leaders to resolve their intra-party leadership crises? Is APC responsible for the violation of court orders by the PDP?” he asked.
Kekemeke further argued that claims of a one-party state were inconsistent, noting that over 20 parties remained active in Nigeria’s political space.
“Even last year, INEC registered two new parties. In a country of 21 parties, how can the allegation of one party system be proven?” he said.
Kekemeke expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in the South-West and across the country, citing what he described as the party’s performance and grassroots strength.
“APC is enlarging its coast and the opposition is shrinking and in disarray. The difference is clear: it is the leadership, the vision, focus and performance. Opposition lacks all of the above,” he said.
He also described Makinde’s reference to “wetie” as “a threat, a sort of incitement and a sign of desperation.”
Basiru Dismisses Coalition As ‘Ruse’
On the opposition’s plan to field a common presidential candidate in 2027, Basiru described the Ibadan summit as lacking legitimacy.
“The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was an assemblage of individuals, not 10 political parties,” he said.
He argued that political parties can only participate in such meetings with authorisation from their National Working Committees or National Executive Committees.
“Without that, you just have a room full of disgruntled politicians,” he added.
Basiru also questioned the authority under which some prominent figures attended the meeting, noting ongoing leadership disputes within their parties.
He described the coalition effort as contradictory, saying opposition figures could not claim Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state while simultaneously forming alliances of multiple parties.
“If they claim that 10 political parties met, then their claim that Nigeria is becoming a one-party state is mutually contradictory. They are saying ten parties want to gang up against one,” he said.
Basiru predicted that the opposition alliance would soon unravel due to conflicting personal interests.
“I can assure Nigerians that they will not be able to come up with any resolution. In the coming days and weeks, they will start to fight over their personal, inordinate ambitions,” he said.
He maintained that Nigerian law recognises only duly registered political parties, not political “gang-ups,” describing the coalition as an admission of weakness.
Coalition ‘Failure Waiting To Happen’ – Presidency
In a separate reaction, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, dismissed the opposition coalition as weak and inconsequential.
“The ground upon which the opposition operates is akin to the biblical sinking ground. So, whether they field multiple presidential candidates or a single one, it matters little. It will end in electoral failure,” he said.
Dare described the Ibadan meeting as “the end game of an opposition riddled with fragmentation and soaked in opportunism.”
He, however, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s chances, citing what he called a strong performance record.
“President Tinubu stands on solid ground; a resounding three-year performance that has set Nigeria on the course of recovery and a resilient economy,” he added.
“President Tinubu will secure a second term because he has earned it.”
Opposition Insists On Common Candidate
Despite the criticism, opposition leaders at the summit resolved to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 election, describing the move as necessary to “rescue our nation and her long suffering masses.”
The coalition accused the APC of attempting to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and called for urgent amendments to the Electoral Act 2026 to safeguard the integrity of the polls.
They also urged the National Assembly to review provisions they claimed could undermine credible elections and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend deadlines for party primaries.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that prominent political figures at the meeting included Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, among others.
Political parties represented included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Accord Party, and several others.