The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has referenced the violent political era known as “Operation Wetie” to warn against attempts to establish one-party dominance in Nigeria.
“Operation Wetie” refers to a period of intense political violence that engulfed Nigeria’s western region in the mid-1960s, particularly in Ibadan. The phrase, derived from Yoruba meaning “wet him,” described acts where political opponents, their homes, and vehicles were doused with petrol and set ablaze following the disputed 1965 regional elections.
Speaking at the national summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders in Ibadan, Makinde expressed concern over growing efforts to concentrate legislative power within a single party, while opposition groups struggle with internal divisions and legal disputes.
“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.
He recalled the city’s historical role in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional development, noting that past political dialogues, though imperfect, were necessary for national progress.
“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 added.
Makinde cautioned that such trends should not be ignored, stressing the importance of active opposition in sustaining democracy.
“This is not something that we should treat lightly. I don’t want to think saboteurs are here. Because democracy is not destroyed overnight, it is weakened step by step until people begin to feel it no longer works for them,” he said.
“When opposition becomes ineffective, democracy itself loses meaning. Democracy is not defined by the success of one party, it is defined by the existence of real alternatives. By the ability of citizens to choose.”
He further clarified that the gathering was not driven by personal ambition or aimed at any individual.
“This meeting is not a gang up against one man. And it’s not about individual ambition to be president; it is about the collective ambition of the Nigerian people to have a democracy that is properly defined,” he said.
“No matter how strong a party becomes or how popular any government may appear, the presence of credible opposition is not a threat to democracy.”