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What Does Makinde’s ‘Operation Wetie’ Allusion Mean in Nigerian Politics?

Wetie described dousing political opponents, their houses, cars, or properties with petrol and setting them ablaze.

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Photo: Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had during Saturday April 25 Ibadan meeting of opposition parties (PDP and ADC) cautioned the Federal Government against suppressing the political will of Nigerians, recalling that the historic ‘Operation We tie’ crisis began in Ibadan.

Operation “We tie” was a violent political uprising that took place in Western Nigeria in 1965. It stemmed from a 1962 power struggle within the ruling Action Group party between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, which later escalated following the disputed 1965 elections.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the opposition leaders warned the APC-led Federal Government against turning Nigeria into a one-party state, vowing to resist such moves.

They announced plans to present a joint presidential candidate against the ruling party in the 2027 election.

“Wetie”in Nigerian politics refers to Operation Wetie.

Literally it means “wet him/her” in Yoruba. From Yoruba “wẹ̀ ẹ́” = “soak it” or “wet him/her”.

Wetie described dousing political opponents, their houses, cars, or properties with petrol and setting them ablaze.

Historical context

It was the name given to the wave of political violence that rocked Nigeria’s Western Region in the mid-1960s, especially after the disputed 1965 Western Region elections.

The elections were widely alleged to be rigged in favor of the ruling faction, sparking riots, arson, and killings.

“Wild Wild West”

Because of the chaos, the Western Region was nicknamed the “Wild Wild West”.

The breakdown helped trigger the collapse of Nigeria’s First Republic and paved the way for the January 1966 military coup.

How it’s used in politics today

Politicians invoke “Operation Wetie” as a warning about political intolerance, rigging, and one-party dominance.

Recent example

In April 2026, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde referenced it at an opposition summit in Ibadan.

He said:

“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”.

He was cautioning against moves toward one-party rule and the weakening of opposition parties.

The APC criticized the remark as “reckless incitement to violence”.

Key lessons tied to it

1. Political rivalry shouldn’t override peace – The 1965 crisis showed how disputed elections and intolerance can spiral into arson and killings.

2. Danger of weak opposition

“Wetie” is now shorthand for what happens when democratic checks fail and power is overly consolidated.

3. Historical memory – 60 years later, it’s still used to remind leaders: those who do not know history are doomed to repeat its failures”.

So when you hear “wetie” in Nigerian politics today, it’s basically code for political violence triggered by rigging/exclusion and politicians use it to warn against repeating that dark chapter.

Want me to break down what actually happened in the 1965 Western Region election that started it?

(Credit: Metal AI)

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Politics

Again, Desmond Elliot begs political mentor,Gbajabiamila , “I’m sorry, Daddy”

The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.

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“I’m sorry. I have no excuse; I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry. I’m deeply sorry, sir. And in our culture, we prostrate. Don’t be angry, Daddy.”

The above statement was made by

Lagos State lawmaker and actor, Desmond Elliot, during a meeting with Femi Gbajabiamila, and other party chieftains in Lagos, where he went on his knees and prostrated before the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Bola Tinubu
. In a video shared by Lagos Junction on X on Sunday, Elliot begged for forgiveness and reconciliation following his actions during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC leadership and appealed for an end to any disagreement between him and Gbajabiamila.

The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.

During an earlier appearance on TVC’s Your View, Elliot acknowledged that he may have offended his political mentor through his political engagements, while maintaining that any misunderstanding between them was not deliberate.

“I’m not saying, oh, yes, media will come out, oh yes, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him,” he said.

He added, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way.”

The dispute occurred amid the political tensions surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila said he faced difficulties at the Presidency over allegations concerning Elliot’s political activities.

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Politics

I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi

However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.

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The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.

Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.

“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.

However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.

“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.

Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.

“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”

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Politics

Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms

It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.

Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.

Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.

“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.

“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.

It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.

The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.

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