ADC, APC clash over Makinde’s ‘Operation Wetie’ remarks

The Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) has defended Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State following criticism from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the comments he made at the weekend during the opposition summit in Ibadan.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, in a post on his X handle, said the governor’s remarks were intended as a cautionary reflection on Nigeria’s political history, not an incitement to violence.

The APC had earlier taken a swipe at Makinde, accusing him of invoking the country’s violent past to stir tension.

In a statement on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Makinde referenced the “Operation Wetie” era to suggest an emerging one-party state, describing the comments as reckless and dangerous to national peace.

The ruling party said it was disturbing that a sitting governor and Chief Security Officer of his state would allude to one of Nigeria’s darkest periods of political violence, warning that such rhetoric could trigger unrest and undermine national stability.

“Makinde’s rhetoric goes beyond opposition politics. It risks fuelling anarchy, widespread lawlessness and undermining national stability,” the APC said.

However, Abdullahi dismissed the criticism, insisting that Makinde’s comments were a legitimate warning about the dangers of shrinking democratic space and ignoring early signs of political instability.

“References to history are meant to prevent crisis, not provoke it,” he said. “If you believe in free, fair and credible elections, there is nothing to fear.

“Those working to rig outcomes, silence opposition and constrict the democratic space are the only ones who should feel uneasy,” he said.

He added that history serves as a guide and a warning, not a threat, stressing that only those who ignore its lessons should feel concerned.