The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for invoking the bloody history of “Operation Wetie” to incite Nigerians to violence in the forthcoming general elections.
‘Operation Wetie’ was a violent political crisis in Western Nigeria during the early 1960s, marked by arson, killings, and street violence that contributed to the collapse of democratic governance and set the stage for Nigeria’s first military coup.
Speaking on Saturday at the national summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders in Ibadan, Makinde warned the ruling party of the dangers of running a one-party system of democracy in Nigeria.
“For those that are carrying on as if there’s no tomorrow. They should remember that “operation wetie” started from here. This is the same Wild Wild West.
“Back in 1950, this city hosted a conversation that helped shape Nigeria’s constitutional future. Those discussions were not perfect but necessary. They were driven by a recognition that the structure of the nation was a deliberately built, protected and well necessary debated. In many ways, this gathering carries the same responsibility.
“There are open efforts to consolidate legislative control under one party. At the same time, opposition parties are increasingly entangled in internal crises and legal battles that raise serious questions about their ability to function effectively,” he said.
In a swift reaction on Sunday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the party condemns Governor Makinde’s incitement as reckless, and a clear and present threat to peace and national security.
“It is particularly disturbing for a sitting Governor who bears constitutional responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of his state to conjure up one of the darkest episodes of political violence in Nigeria’s history to threaten violence against the people and government of Nigeria.
“By his incitement to violence, Makinde has shown himself to be unworthy of the high office of Governor that he occupies. His statement risks fueling anarchy, murderous rage and widespread lawlessness capable of undermining national stability.
“We therefore call on all relevant security and intelligence agencies to take this unfortunate development seriously and act to safeguard lives, property, and defend Nigeria’s democratic order,” he said.
The APC reminded Makinde that constitutional immunity from prosecution is not immunity from accountability for threats or acts against national security. Noting that no individual, however highly placed, should have the power to threaten or endanger the lives and safety of Nigerians or upend the country’s hard-won democratic governance under the guise of political commentary.
The party said it rejected attempts by the opposition leaders to frame their internal shambles in alarmist narratives about so-called one-party domination.
“The opposition parties are victims of self-inflicted injuries arising from anti-democratic practices, miserably poor leadership, internal contradictions, utter disregard for due process and the rule of law, persistent factionalization, and the desperate and dissonant presidential ambitions of their leaders.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was destroyed by Atiku Abubakar’s ruthless confiscation of the PDP’s 2023 presidential ticket in violation of the party’s constitutionally entrenched rotational zoning formula.
“The Labour Party (LP) was effectively subverted by the restless nomadic disposition of its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, permanently swinging from one party to another in search of a free and uncontested presidential ticket.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC), so-called coalition platform, was basically stillborn, strangled by the reckless robbery of that party’s leadership by the same band of marauding opposition figures, never willing to remain and build their parties but always quick to use the revolving door on to the next available party. They have left nothing but desolation in the opposition trail,” the ruling party said.
