Governor Seyi Makinde has warned against the dangers of one-party dominance in Nigeria, recalling the violent “Operation Wetie” crisis of the 1960s as a cautionary lesson.
Makinde gave the warning on Saturday in Ibadan at a national summit of opposition political leaders attended by Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi and Rauf Aregbesola.
The governor referenced the political violence that followed the disputed 1965 Western Region elections, noting that the unrest, popularly known as “Operation Wetie,” symbolised a breakdown of democratic order.
He cautioned that Nigeria must avoid a similar path, warning that democracy could gradually erode if political competition is weakened.
“For those acting as if there is no tomorrow, they should remember that ‘Operation Wetie’ started from here. This is the same Wild Wild West,” he said.
Makinde noted that while democracy is not destroyed abruptly, it could be undermined over time through the weakening of opposition parties and concentration of political power.
According to him, credible opposition remains essential to sustaining democratic governance, stressing that democracy is defined by the availability of real alternatives for citizens.
He also raised concerns over what he described as efforts to consolidate political control, alongside internal crises within opposition parties that could limit their effectiveness.
“This is not something we should treat lightly. Democracy is weakened step by step until people begin to feel it no longer works for them,” he added.
Also speaking, political economist highlighted the country’s worsening economic conditions, citing rising fuel and food prices, as well as growing hardship among citizens.
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Utomi described the widening gap between living costs and income levels as troubling, noting that many Nigerians struggle to meet basic needs.
He said the nation’s challenges extend beyond economics to issues of leadership and values, stressing that sustainable development requires integrity and purposeful governance.
Despite the challenges, Utomi expressed optimism that Nigeria could recover with the right leadership and policy direction.
