The All Progressives Congress (APC) has attacked Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of inciting violence and declaring him unfit to hold public office following remarks he made at an opposition summit in Ibadan.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, April 26, 2026, by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party alleged that Makinde invoked the violent legacy of “Operation Wetie” while addressing opposition figures on Saturday, April 25, in what it described as a dangerous attempt to stir unrest.
The ruling party said the governor’s comments amounted to “reckless incitement” and posed a direct threat to national peace and security.
Makinde, on Saturday at an opposition leaders’ summit, warned against the weakening of opposition political parties in Nigeria, saying such could have severe consequences for the country’s democracy.
“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.
In the mid‑1960s, Ibadan became the epicentre of one of Nigeria’s most infamous episodes of political violence, known as Operation Wetie. The phrase, derived from the Yoruba expression “wet him” or “soak it”, referred to the brutal practice of dousing political opponents, their homes, and vehicles with petrol before setting them ablaze.
The crisis was triggered by the highly disputed Western Region elections of 1965, which were widely believed to have been rigged in favour of the ruling faction led by Chief Ladoke Akintola.
The opposition, loyal to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, rejected the results, and tensions quickly escalated into open violence. Political gangs roamed the streets of Ibadan and other towns, attacking rivals and burning property.
Ordinary citizens were caught in the crossfire, and the region descended into what became known as the “Wild Wild West.”
The violence was not limited to street clashes. Lawmakers themselves engaged in vicious physical combat inside the Western regional parliament. The breakdown of law and order spread beyond Ibadan to other parts of the Western Region, creating a climate of fear and instability.
