Turaki-led PDP Kicks As APC, Wike Faction Accuse Makinde Of Inciting Comment

By Chibuzo Ukaibe and James Kwen, Abuja

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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of inciting violence in the country following his remark at the opposition summit at the weekend, when he referenced “Operation Wetie”.

However, the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki swiftly rallied in support of Makinde, dismissing the accusations of inciting violence and adding that the reference was not a call to violence but a cautionary note.

The party stated that the governor’s use of history served as a caution and advisory to the federal government, the APC, and other national institutions on the unmitigated crisis that their actions and inactions could result in.

Makinde, in the course of his speech as host of the Opposition Parties’ Summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, referred to one of Nigeria’s violent political episodes, “Operation Wetie”, while cautioning against moves towards one-party domination.

“Operation Wetie” was a campaign of intense political violence that rocked Nigeria’s Western Region, with its epicentre in Ibadan, in the mid-1960s.

The term, derived from a Yoruba phrase meaning “wet him” or “soak it”, described the practice of dousing political opponents, their homes, and vehicles with petrol before setting them ablaze.

APC Reacts

According to the ruling APC, Makinde, while addressing a summit of opposition political parties in Ibadan on Saturday, invoked the bloody history of “Operation Wetie” to incite Nigerians to violence over what it described as his baseless and senseless allegation of the country’s descent into a one-party state.

The APC, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, yesterday condemned Makinde’s alleged incitement as reckless and a clear and present threat to peace and national security.

“It is particularly disturbing for a sitting governor, who bears constitutional responsibility as the chief security officer of his state, to conjure up one of the darkest episodes of political violence in Nigeria’s history to threaten violence against the people and government of Nigeria,” Morka said.

The APC spokesperson noted that, by his incitement to violence, Makinde had shown himself to be unworthy of the high office of governor that he occupies.

“Makinde’s violent rhetoric cannot be dismissed as mere opposition posturing. His statement risks fuelling anarchy, murderous rage, and widespread lawlessness capable of undermining national stability.

“We therefore call on all relevant security and intelligence agencies to take this unfortunate development seriously and act to safeguard lives and property, and defend Nigeria’s democratic order.

“Makinde must be reminded that constitutional immunity from prosecution is not immunity from accountability for threats or acts against national security.

“No individual, however highly placed, should have the power to threaten or endanger the lives and safety of Nigerians or upend the country’s hard-won democratic governance under the guise of political commentary,” the statement read in part.

The APC vehemently rejected attempts by what it described as confused opposition leaders to frame their internal disarray in alarmist narratives about so-called one-party domination.

The ruling party maintained that opposition parties were victims of self-inflicted injuries arising from anti-democratic practices, poor leadership, internal contradictions, disregard for due process and the rule of law, persistent factionalisation, and the desperate and dissonant presidential ambitions of their leaders.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was weakened by Atiku Abubakar’s alleged confiscation of the party’s 2023 presidential ticket in violation of its constitutionally entrenched rotational zoning formula.

“The Labour Party (LP) was effectively subverted by the restless, nomadic disposition of its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, who is perceived as moving from one party to another in search of a free and uncontested presidential ticket.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC), the so-called coalition platform, was stillborn, allegedly strangled by the reckless takeover of the party’s leadership by the same band of opposition figures, who are unwilling to build their parties but quick to move on to the next available platform. They have left nothing but desolation in their wake.”

The APC, however, said it was confident that Nigerians are discerning and recognise that a party unable to manage its internal affairs cannot be entrusted with the governance of Africa’s most populous country.

“Nigeria’s democratic space remains robust. With nearly two dozen parties registered and participating freely in the electoral process, the opposition’s attacks on our party and their threats of violence amount to an admission of incompetence and a pre-emptive excuse for what may be a resounding defeat in 2027.

“Our great party, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains committed to strengthening democratic institutions, upholding the rule of law, and delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda for the peace, unity, and prosperity of all Nigerians,” the statement added.

Wike-Backed PDP Tackles Makinde

On its part, the PDP faction loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, also condemned what it described as Makinde’s inflammatory remarks, warning that such rhetoric could undermine Nigeria’s fragile political stability.

In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the party expressed “deep concern over reports of remarks allegedly made” by Makinde referencing “Wetie”, a term historically associated with a period of grave political violence in Nigeria.

The faction said it “strongly condemns this disgraceful statement” and reiterated that “violence has absolutely no place in our political space today”.

Emphasising national unity, the PDP stressed that “Nigeria must come first, before politics and before personal ambitions”, warning that instability would ultimately weaken democratic institutions.

The party further called on citizens across political divides to reject divisive rhetoric.

“The PDP therefore calls on all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to unite in rejecting any rhetoric or action that could incite unrest or threaten national cohesion,” the statement read.

Referencing lessons from the past, the PDP noted that “our shared history reminds us of the cost of division”, urging continued vigilance in preserving peace nationwide.

It also called on security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.

“We further urge security and law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties with diligence and professionalism… and ensure that all relevant individuals are available to respond to lawful enquiries, no matter how highly placed.”

Reaffirming its stance, the party said it remains committed to promoting dialogue, tolerance, and adherence to the rule of law.

“Our nation’s future rests on our shared commitment to put the country first, above any individual interest,” the statement said.

Turaki-Led PDP Backs Makinde, Calls APC Guilty Aggressor

But in a pushback against the accusations, the PDP led by Tanimu Turaki dismissed the claims against the governor.

In a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction instead blamed the federal government and the ruling APC for what it described as a growing threat to peace and democracy.

According to the PDP, the reference was not a call to violence but a cautionary note.

“The use of history in the manner employed by Governor Makinde served as a caution and advisory to the Federal Government, the APC, and other national institutions on the unmitigated crisis that their actions and inactions could result in.”

The statement accused the APC of misinterpreting the comment out of political desperation.

“Only a guilty aggressor can interpret it to mean a threat or call to violence. It is common knowledge that those who do not learn from history are doomed by it.”

Defending Makinde’s position, the PDP said his remarks were intended as a warning against political excesses and suppression of opposition voices.

“Governor Makinde offered a sobering reminder that when insatiable political greed and avarice replace patriotism and good governance, the resultant conflagration will be of immeasurable proportion.”

The opposition party further alleged that current political developments under President Bola Tinubu mirror past events that led to unrest in Nigeria.

“The events that led to the sad incident of ‘Wetie’ and the current happenings within the political space, as orchestrated by the APC, are not just similar but identical in both intent and execution.”

In a direct attack, the PDP accused the ruling party of engineering a drift towards authoritarianism.

“The current slide into elected totalitarianism has been entirely engineered by the APC and the federal government. They cannot decry the effect while remaining willfully blind to the cause.”

The statement also revisited past rhetoric attributed to the APC during its days in opposition.

“When the APC was in opposition, it did not merely threaten violence; it openly promised to make the country ungovernable… It therefore lacks any moral capacity to complain.”

Warning of political consequences, the PDP said opposition parties would continue to resist attempts to establish a one-party state.

“As long as the targeted, state-sponsored decimation of the opposition continues, opposition parties will explore increasingly potent strategies, entirely within the ambit of the law.”

The party concluded by placing responsibility for any potential electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections squarely on the ruling authorities.

“The responsibility for any violence lies squarely at the door of the federal government, the APC, INEC, and every national institution charged with the defence of democracy.”