…APC: Makinde of Inciting Widespread Violence
…PDP Turaki Faction Blames FG, APC for Rising Tensions
By Franklin Adole
Nigeria’s political space has become even more sharply polarised in the fallout of the “Ibadan Declaration,” with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition leaders, and a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party engaging in a fierce war of words over allegations of incitement, democracy backsliding, and fears of widespread violence ahead of 2027.
The controversy was triggered by remarks made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, during an opposition summit held in Ibadan on April 25, which have since drawn sharply divergent interpretations.
In a statement shared on Facebook by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused Makinde of invoking Nigeria’s violent political history to incite unrest.
“Governor Makinde… invoked the bloody history of ‘Operation Wetie’ to incite Nigerians to violence,” Morka said, describing the remarks as “reckless” and “a clear and present threat to peace and national security.”
He warned that such rhetoric “risks fuelling anarchy, murderous rage, and widespread lawlessness,” insisting that no public official should “threaten or endanger the lives and safety of Nigerians.”
The APC also dismissed opposition claims of creeping authoritarianism, arguing that opposition parties were plagued by “self-inflicted injuries… internal contradictions… and desperate presidential ambitions.”
In the Ibadan communiqué, the opposition leaders had declared:
“We shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party state on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy.”
The meeting—attended by figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, David Mark, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola and many others— resolved to work towards a single presidential candidate for 2027 and called for sweeping electoral reforms, including the removal of INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, over alleged bias.
Amid the escalating dispute, the Turaki faction of the PDP weighed in forcefully, shifting responsibility for rising tensions to the ruling party and the Federal Government.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the faction argued that Makinde’s reference to “Operation Wetie” was mischaracterised.
“The use of history… served as a caution and advisory… Only a guilty aggressor can interpret it to mean a threat or call to violence,” the statement said.
It added that the governor’s remarks were a “sobering reminder” of the consequences of political excesses, warning:
“When insatiable political greed and avarice replace patriotism… the resultant conflagration will be of immeasurable proportion.”
The PDP faction went further, accusing the APC of engineering the very conditions it now decries:
“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.”
In a pointed historical comparison, the party said:
“When the APC was in opposition, they did not merely threaten violence, they openly promised to make the country ungovernable.”
It concluded with a stark warning:
“The responsibility for any violence… lies squarely at the doors of the Federal Government, the APC, INEC, and every national institution charged with the defence of democracy.”
Even as the political heavyweights traded accusations, cracks emerged within the opposition ranks.
The Accord Party disowned the Ibadan coalition, alleging unauthorised use of its identity. Its presidential hopeful, Chris Imumolen, declared:
“You cannot borrow legitimacy by force… This is not an oversight; it is a misrepresentation.”
The APC quickly capitalised on the development, with its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, dismissing the summit as illegitimate:
“The so-called Ibadan summit is a ruse. It was an assemblage of individuals, not ten political parties.”
Beyond official statements, the controversy has ignited intense debate on social media, largely under Onanuga’s Facebook post of Morka’s statement.
Some commenters backed the APC. Director Darazo wrote:
“No responsible leader should toy with the peace and unity of our nation through reckless rhetoric.”
Others were more critical of Makinde, with Oye Oyesanya stating:
“I never knew this governor was highly irresponsible… This guy is nobody. He’s finished.”
But others pushed back against the ruling party’s narrative.
Michael G. Clark argued:
“This statement is a deliberate distortion of Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks… the APC should confront the real concerns Nigerians have about governance.”
Aliyu Usman added:
“Governor Makinde spoke out of concern, not incitement… Blaming the opposition won’t solve the hardship people are facing.”
Emma Emeka Anyagwa said:
“These APC guys are becoming more desperate, restless, and frustrated every day,”
while Moses P. Ele questioned consistency, describing the reaction as “eye service.”