The South West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has told the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, to ensure that all his children come back to Nigeria, from where they are schooling abroad to be part of the “operation wetie” (Political Violence) that he preached in Ibadan today.
Makinde had invoked the violent political history of “Operation Wetie”, a campaign of deadly political violence that rocked the Western Region of Nigeria in the mid-1960s.
It was adapted from the Yoruba phrase meaning “wet or soak” homes and vehicles of perceived political opponents with petrol before setting them ablaze.
Makinde made this inciting comment at the National Summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders in Ibadan, Oyo State today.
Reacting through its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Akinloye Oyeniyi, the PDP in the Southwest Zone disowned the summit saying; “the meeting was a jamboree staged to revive Governor Seyi Makinde’s dwindling political fortune and hand him the vice presidential candidate’s ticket of the David Mark-led ADC.”
The party, which also described Makinde’s comment as reckless, and unbecoming of a sitting governor, added that the Southwest will not be available to be used as a political war-zone by any disgruntled and selfish politician.
Clarifying the status of the meeting, Oyeniyi said; “The event was a meeting of a coalition masquerading as an all-opposition-parties summit. It did not represent the PDP or the broader opposition in Nigeria. Rather, it’s to serve the interest of the person whose scheming is to get the vice presidential ticket of the coalition through the back door.”
The party commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for staying away from the meeting, saying his absence made it clear to the world that he is not part of that group.
Oyeniyi further alleged that the summit was convened by Governor Makinde as a face-saving move.
“The governor has swallowed embers that are now burning his chest, reason he assembled those whose records do not reflect seriousness, in Ibadan, to chart a fresh course into further chaos in their coalition,” he said.
The statement addressed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and few others, reported to have attended the summit, urging them to emulate the statesmanship displayed by former President Obasanjo and ensure their names are not associated with endless controversy.
“The chairman of that already failed and defeatist occasion did not show up. It is not an event to be graced by any reasonable and reputable person,” the statement added.
Addressing the Oyo State governor directly, the party said: “There is a difference between influence and illusion. This latest political fakery has again confirmed your self-inflicted free fall from grace; and the people of Oyo State shall speak clearly against all these relentless chaoses in 2027.”
The party thanked its members in the zone and maintained that it remains committed to providing credible opposition and a viable alternative for Nigerians, but would not be part of gatherings designed to deceive the public.