APC Slams Oyo Gov, Seyi Makinde, Over 'Wet E' Remark *"you're unfit to be governor"
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.
Makinde noted that Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require collaboration and honest dialogue among political actors.
However, according to the APC, “Governor Makinde’s invocation of one of the darkest episodes of political violence in Nigeria’s history to threaten violence against the people and government of Nigeria is deeply disturbing.”
“By his incitement to violence, Makinde has shown himself to be unworthy of the high office of Governor that he occupies,” the APC said.
The APC further warned that the governor’s remarks could not be dismissed as mere political rhetoric, insisting that such statements had the potential to trigger “anarchy, murderous rage and widespread lawlessness.”
Calling for immediate action, the ruling party urged security and intelligence agencies to treat the matter with urgency.
“We therefore call on all relevant security and intelligence agencies to take this unfortunate development seriously and act to safeguard lives, property, and defend Nigeria’s democratic order,” Morka added.
The ruling party also cautioned that constitutional immunity should not be mistaken for a shield against accountability, stressing that no public office holder has the right to endanger national stability under the guise of political commentary.
Beyond its criticism of Makinde, the APC dismissed the opposition parties’ claims that Nigeria is sliding into a one-party state as “baseless and alarmist.”
The party accused opposition leaders of being responsible for their own internal crises, citing what it described as poor leadership, internal divisions, and disregard for due process.
It specifically alleged that Atiku Abubakar undermined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through his emergence as the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, while also criticising former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi over what it called his “restless nomadic disposition” across political platforms.
The APC also dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition as ineffective, describing it as a failed political arrangement plagued by leadership struggles among opposition figures.
According to the ruling party, opposition groups have failed to present any credible alternative vision for Nigeria’s development, relying instead on “fear mongering” and “false narratives” about the APC.
“Our great Party rejects the veiled expectation of opposition leaders that the APC would help them manage their internal affairs,” the statement read. “We bear no such duty and will not provide any such leadership consulting services to them.”
The party insisted it remains focused on consolidating its political strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, rejecting what it described as attempts to blackmail it into abandoning its responsibilities.
Reaffirming confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system, the APC maintained that the country’s political space remains open and competitive, noting that multiple parties continue to participate freely in the electoral process.
It reiterated its commitment under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law, and delivering on its governance agenda.
“Our democracy is founded on the idea of competing visions of governance and development,” Morka stated, adding that Nigerians would ultimately reject what it termed “gangster antics” and threats of violence at the polls in 2027.
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