‘Operation Wetie started from Ibadan’ - Seyi Makinde warns against one-party domination

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde
‘Operation Wetie started from Ibadan’ - Seyi Makinde warns against one-party domination

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has warned that Nigeria risks sliding into one-party domination, invoking the violent history of “Operation Wetie” which began in Ibadan in the 1960s as a cautionary tale. He stressed that democracy thrives only when opposition parties remain viable and provide real alternatives to citizens.

‘Operation Wetie started from Ibadan’ - Seyi Makinde warns against one-party domination

Operation Wetie was a violent political uprising that erupted in Nigeria’s Western Region after the disputed 1965 elections, which were widely believed to have been rigged in favor of the ruling faction. The term “Wetie,” derived from Yoruba meaning “soak it,” referred to the practice of dousing opponents, their homes, and vehicles with petrol and setting them ablaze. Ibadan was the epicenter of this unrest, and the violence spread across the region, destabilizing governance and contributing to Nigeria’s eventual descent into military rule.

Speaking at the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders in Ibadan on April 25, 2026, Makinde reminded attendees that Operation Wetie began in the city, cautioning that unchecked political dominance could lead to similar instability. He noted that:

- Opposition parties are weakened by internal crises and legal battles, raising doubts about their ability to function effectively.  

- Legislative consolidation under one party is underway, which risks eroding democratic competition.  

- Democracy is not defined by the success of one party but by the existence of real alternatives and the ability of citizens to choose freely.

Makinde emphasized Ibadan’s historical role in Nigeria’s political development. In 1950, Ibadan hosted constitutional discussions that shaped Nigeria’s future.

He argued that the current summit carries similar responsibility, urging opposition leaders to set aside personal ambitions and focus on preserving democratic plurality.

While Makinde’s remarks resonated with opposition leaders, they also drew criticism from ruling party figures. Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused him of making inciting statements, arguing that invoking Operation Wetie could be misinterpreted as a call to violence. They insisted that today’s political challenges differ from the 1960s and should be addressed through dialogue rather than historical analogies.

Makinde’s warning highlights a pressing concern: Nigeria’s democracy risks weakening if opposition parties fail to unite and provide credible alternatives. Without strong opposition, accountability diminishes, and citizens lose confidence in the system.

His invocation of Operation Wetie serves as a reminder that political exclusion and domination can have dire consequences, both historically and in the present.

Makinde’s reference to Operation Wetie is a call for vigilance against one-party domination and a plea for opposition unity.

By drawing on Ibadan’s turbulent past, he underscores the importance of maintaining democratic balance to prevent Nigeria from repeating history.