The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a strong attack on Seyi Makinde, accusing him of making reckless and dangerous comments after he referenced the historic “Operation Wetie” during an opposition summit in Ibadan.
The controversy stems from remarks made by Makinde at a national gathering of opposition political leaders, where he warned against what he described as attempts to consolidate political power under a single party system.
In his address, the governor referenced the violent political era known as “Operation Wetie,” a term associated with unrest in Nigeria’s Western Region during the 1960s.
“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.
The APC reacted sharply, describing the statement as an incitement to violence and questioning the governor’s suitability for public office.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said it found it disturbing that a sitting governor and chief security officer of a state would invoke such a volatile historical reference in a political setting.
The ruling party warned that comments of that nature could heighten tensions and potentially trigger disorder, insisting that public officials must exercise restraint in their public communications.
The APC further stated that Makinde’s remarks demonstrated poor judgment and were inconsistent with the responsibilities of his office, describing him as “unworthy” of holding the position of governor.
It also called on security and intelligence agencies to take note of the comments, arguing that constitutional immunity does not protect public officials from accountability when statements are perceived to threaten national security.
The opposition summit where the remarks were made brought together several political stakeholders who have been discussing strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid growing political realignments across the country.
