Makinde Sounds Alarm: ‘Operation Wetie Started Here’ as He Warns Against One-Party Rule

Governor Seyi Makinde has raised a strong warning against what he described as growing tendencies toward one-party dominance in Nigeria’s political space, cautioning that such a development could endanger the country’s democratic stability.

Makinde spoke on Saturday in Ibadan at the National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders, where political actors from across the country gathered to deliberate on the state of democracy and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.

The governor, in a highly charged address, drew attention to historical warnings, referencing the infamous Operation Wetie, a violent political crisis that engulfed the old Western Region in the 1960s following disputed elections.

“For those who think there will be no consequences, they should remember that ‘Operation Wetie’ started here in Ibadan. This is the same Wild Wild West,” Makinde warned, drawing a direct line between past political unrest and present-day tensions.

He expressed concern over what he described as deliberate efforts to weaken opposition parties and consolidate political control under a single dominant platform, warning that such actions could erode democratic checks and balances.

According to him, democracy is not sustained by the strength of a ruling party alone but by the existence of credible opposition voices capable of offering alternatives and holding government accountable.

“When opposition becomes ineffective, democracy itself loses meaning. Democracy is not destroyed overnight; it is gradually weakened until citizens begin to lose faith in the system,” he said.

Makinde, however, clarified that the summit was not directed at any individual or political figure, stressing that it was not a political gang-up or a platform for personal ambition.

“This meeting is not about any individual or presidential ambition. It is about the collective responsibility to protect and preserve Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.

He concluded by urging political actors across party lines to embrace tolerance, competition, and respect for democratic principles, warning that history has shown the consequences of ignoring political tensions until they spiral out of control.