The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor, of inciting violence following comments he made at the opposition parties’ summit in Ibadan.
Speaking at the national summit of All Opposition Political
Party Leaders on Saturday, Makinde raised concerns over growing efforts to
consolidate legislative control under one party while opposition parties
grapple with internal crises and legal battles.
“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,” Makinde said.
“Operation Wetie” refers to a period of intense political
violence that engulfed Nigeria’s western region, particularly Ibadan, in the
mid-1960s.
The phrase, derived from a Yoruba expression meaning “wet
him”, describes a tactic in which political opponents, their homes and vehicles
were doused with petrol and set ablaze.
The crisis erupted after the highly disputed 1965 western
region elections, which were widely alleged to have been rigged in favour of
the ruling faction, effectively sidelining the opposition.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the APC, through Felix
Morka, its national publicity secretary, condemned Makinde’s remarks,
describing them as “reckless” and a threat to national peace and security.
According to the APC, it was troubling that a sitting
governor and chief security officer of a state would invoke a period associated
with political violence, warning that such comments could trigger “anarchy,
murderous rage and widespread lawlessness”.
“By his incitement to violence, Makinde has showed himself
to be unworthy of the high office of Governor that he occupies,” the APC said.
The ruling party called on security and intelligence
agencies to take the matter seriously and act to protect lives and property,
while stressing that constitutional immunity does not shield public officials
from accountability over statements deemed to threaten national security.
“Makinde’s violent rhetoric cannot be dismissed as mere
opposition posturing. 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,” the
statement reads.
“Makinde must be reminded that constitutional immunity from
prosecution is not immunity from accountability for threats or acts against
national security.
“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 APC also dismissed claims by opposition figures that
Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, attributing the challenges
within opposition parties to internal crises, leadership struggles, and what it
described as poor organisational management.
The APC criticised key opposition figures, including former
vice-president Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the
Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, accusing them of contributing to
instability within their respective parties.
The party maintained that Nigeria’s democratic space remains
open and competitive, adding that multiple political parties continue to
operate freely within the system.
Reaffirming its position ahead of the 2027 general election,
the APC said it would continue to mobilise and organise in line with democratic
principles, while expressing confidence that Nigerians would support its agenda
under President Bola Tinubu.
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