All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Seyi Makinde, saying he is unfit for office following comments he made about “Operation Wetie” during an opposition summit in Ibadan.
Makinde, while speaking at the national summit of opposition political party leaders on Saturday, April 25, cautioned against what he described as the dangerous concentration of legislative power in the hands of one party.
“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,” he told attendees.
“Operation Wetie” derived from the expression “wet him” refers to the violent political unrest that took place in Nigeria’s western region, especially Ibadan, during the mid-1960s. After the disputed 1965 western region elections, opposition figures, their homes, and vehicles were reportedly soaked with petrol and set ablaze.
Reacting to the statement, the APC described Makinde’s remarks as reckless and capable of inciting violence. In a statement issued on Sunday, April 26, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said it was disturbing that a sitting governor and chief security officer of a state would invoke such a violent historical event, warning that the comments could trigger “anarchy, murd£rous 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 party said.
The APC also called on security and intelligence agencies to respond, stressing that constitutional immunity does not exempt public officials from accountability over statements considered threats to national security.
“Makinde must be reminded that constitutional immunity from prosecution is not immunity from accountability for threats or acts against national security,” the statement read.
The party further rejected claims of a looming one-party state, arguing that the opposition’s struggles were self-inflicted. It also criticised Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, accusing them of worsening internal crises in their parties rather than offering credible alternatives.
“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 added.