Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state drew attention to the “Operation Wetie” violence that rocked the South-West in mid-1960s to caution against one-party domination in the country.
Governor Makinde gave the warning in Ibadan today at the national summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders that had Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola, in attendance.
Recall that “Operation Wetie” erupted in the western region after the highly disputed 1965 western region elections, alleged to have been rigged in favour of the ruling faction.
The term, meaning “Wet it” in Yoruba, captures the practice of dousing political opponents, their homes and vehicles with petrol, and setting them ablaze.
Same Wild Wild West – Makinde
Makinde warned: “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.
“Back in 1950, this city hosted a conversation that helped shape Nigeria’s constitutional future. Those discussions were not perfect but necessary. They were driven by a recognition that the structure of the nation was a deliberately built, protected and well necessary debated. In many ways, this gathering carries the same responsibility.
“There are open efforts to consolidate legislative control under one party. At the same time, opposition parties are increasingly entangled in internal crises and legal battles that raise serious questions about their ability to function effectively.
“This is not something that we should treat lightly. I don’t want to think saboteurs are here. Because democracy is not destroyed overnight, it is weakened step by step until people begin to feel it no longer works for them,” he said.
“When opposition becomes ineffective, democracy itself loses meaning. Democracy is not defined by the success of one party, it is defined by the existence of real alternatives. By the ability of citizens to choose.”
Vanguard
