Operation Wetie: Gov. Makinde’s Dangerous Rhetorics.

By: Inuwa Bwala.

I cannot still fathom what he means, but one thing is clear that, invoking the spirit of any form of violence, under whatever circumstances, is unstatesmanly and most uncharitable.

What people should always bear in mind, is the fact that, it takes a little issue to spark a larger crisis.

One can ignite crisis, but no one knows the dimenssions it could assume, neither can one predict when it will end.

It is with these at the back of my mind that, I think, the remarks credited to Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, in which he tried to invoke the memory of the infamous “operation wetie”, was both dangerous and irresponsible of a leader.

No one wants to remember the horrors of the 1st and 2nd World wars. Neither do Nigerians pretend to cherish the memories of the civil war.

The 1st world war alone cost humanity more than 22 million lives.
And what started the 1st world war was a minor spark: the assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Ferdinand Frantz in Sareyevo on June 28th 1914 by a Serb Nationalist.

Closer home, a minor skirmish in Maiduguri, when, the then, Borno state Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff deployed Operatives of Operation Flush,to enforce the use of helmets by Motorcyclists, that ignited the Boko Haram Insurgency.

The crisis has consumed hundreds of lives and dislocated socio-economic lines. It is still ravaging the Nation and there does not appear any solution in sight.

Leadership requires maturity, tactfulness and proportion and not a licence for irresponsible ranting by desperate Politicians.

When Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde talked about “Operation Wetie”: apparently referencing that dark, violent chapter in Nigeria’s political history from the 1960s, people hailed him.

But for those who were witnesses to and know what “Operation Wetie” means, it was indeed a very dangerous rhetoric.

“Wetie” means “wet it” in Yoruba. During the 1965 Western Region elections crisis, describing the practice of dousing political opponents, their homes, properties and vehicles with petrol and setting them ablaze.

It erupted after highly disputed 1965 western region elections, alleged to have been rigged.
The violence was part of the struggle between Chiefs Ladoke Akintola and Obafemi Awolowo.

That crisis gave the region the nickname “Wild Wild West,” as a result of the massive destruction of lives and property, that partly triggered the January 15, 1966 coup: the coup that truncated Nigeria’s First Republic.

Using that era as a rhetoric
during the Ibadan Summit of All Opposition Political Party Leaders, Makinde in my understanding was subtly threatning the ruling party, APC, against perceived moves to foist a one-party political structure on Nigeria.

The governor was essentially saying, history will repeat itself, with Ibadan/Oyo as the epicentre, just like that of that 1960s violence.

But no matter the level of provocation, perceived to have been done to those who gathered in Ibadan, awakening the memories of that wetie era was like scratching an old would.

Except perhaps for Makinde, the people of the south west have never seen it as a pride, that the crisis in the region during that regency, led to them being labbeled as the wild-wild west.

If the world could go to war, over the assasination of one individual, in a third rate country, our leaders should be careful about what they say or do in public.

At the risk of sounding combative, I srate that, neither threats of violence or war, nor invoking the era of operation wetie, could give Governor Makinde what he wants, the best way to go is to call out his fellow travellers to embibe the spirit of tolerance and persuation, the two cardinal principles of democracy.

Operation Wetie: Gov. Makinde’s Dangerous Rhetorics.

NHRC Honours Ford Foundation for Sustained Support to Human Rights in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has honoured the Ford Foundation for its sustained contributions to advancing human rights in Nigeria, reinforcing a partnership that has played a critical role in strengthening access to justice and institutional capacity.

At a ceremony held Friday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the NHRC presented an Award of Appreciation to the Foundation in recognition of its longstanding support.

The award was received by the Foundation’s Regional Director for West Africa, ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, during a high-level engagement with directors and senior officials of the Commission.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu commended the Ford Foundation’s consistent backing, particularly in initiatives aimed at expanding access to justice and strengthening the Commission’s operational capacity.

He stressed that given the breadth and complexity of human rights challenges in Nigeria, the Commission cannot function in isolation.

According to him, sustained collaboration with development partners remains essential to transforming human rights protection from policy intentions into tangible outcomes for citizens.

In her remarks, Aniagolu-Okoye described the recognition as both significant and encouraging, reaffirming the Foundation’s commitment to promoting human rights. She noted that a key focus of the Foundation’s work is ensuring that citizens are not only aware of their rights but are also supported in seeking justice when those rights are violated.

She, however, emphasized that awareness alone is insufficient without strong and effective enforcement systems. Gaps between knowledge of rights and actual access to justice, she said, can weaken public trust and diminish the impact of human rights initiatives.

“Trust in institutions grows when people experience fairness and accessibility in justice delivery,” she noted, adding that strengthening such systems is critical for sustainable human rights protection.

The engagement also underscored the importance of continued cooperation between the Commission and its partners in addressing evolving human rights challenges across the country.

In a vote of thanks, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Commission, Hilary Ogbonna, expressed appreciation for the Ford Foundation’s enduring partnership. He highlighted key institutional advancements, including initiatives such as the MOVE project and the Commission’s dashboard system, noting that many of these efforts benefitted from the Foundation’s early support.

Ogbonna also commended the leadership of the Executive Secretary and the dedication of the Commission’s directors, whose commitment, he said, has sustained progress despite operational constraints.

He further acknowledged the role of the media as a vital partner in the human rights ecosystem, describing the press as the “fourth estate” that amplifies, documents, and brings critical human rights issues to public attention.

The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of the NHRC and its partners to strengthening justice delivery systems and enhancing the protection of human rights in Nigeria.

NHRC Honours Ford Foundation for Sustained Support to Human Rights in Nigeria

Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment

By: Michael Mike

In a move that underscores early political positioning ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections, key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for a second term in 2027.

The endorsement, announced during a high-level gathering at the Government House Multipurpose Hall in Maiduguri on Saturday, signals a consolidation of political support in one of the APC’s strongest northern bases. Party leaders, government officials, and influential grassroots mobilizers unanimously pledged to rally voters across the state to ensure the continuity of the Tinubu administration.

Addressing the stakeholders, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum described the endorsement as both a vote of confidence in the current administration and a strategic commitment to sustaining ongoing reforms. He emphasized that the Tinubu-Shettima leadership had demonstrated resolve in tackling Nigeria’s complex security and economic challenges.

According to Zulum, Borno State—long at the epicenter of insurgency—has witnessed renewed federal attention in security coordination, humanitarian interventions, and reconstruction efforts. He noted that continuity in leadership would be critical to consolidating these gains, particularly in the North-East where recovery from years of conflict remains fragile.

“The support for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima is rooted in performance and trust,” Zulum said. “Borno has seen firsthand the impact of leadership that understands our realities and is committed to long-term stability.”

Borno’s Strategic Role in APC Politics

Borno State holds significant political weight within the APC, not only as a consistent electoral stronghold but also as the political base of Vice President Shettima, a former governor of the state. Since the party’s formation in 2013 and its landmark victory in the 2015 elections, Borno has remained central to APC’s dominance in the North-East.

The state’s political influence is further amplified by its frontline status in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Years of conflict involving Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents have shaped national security policies and elevated Borno’s importance in federal decision-making. As a result, endorsements from the state often carry symbolic and strategic significance for national campaigns.

Political analysts view the early endorsement as part of a broader effort by APC stakeholders to stabilize internal party structures and project unity well ahead of the 2027 elections. It also reflects a growing trend of pre-election alignments aimed at discouraging intra-party rivalries and consolidating incumbency advantages.

Momentum Builds Toward 2027

Saturday’s declaration comes amid ongoing national debates over economic reforms, security challenges, and governance priorities under the Tinubu administration. While opposition parties are expected to intensify criticism in the coming years, the APC appears to be laying the groundwork for a coordinated re-election campaign.

Stakeholders at the Maiduguri meeting pledged to embark on extensive grassroots mobilization, voter engagement, and party strengthening initiatives across all local government areas in Borno. They also called on other APC-controlled states to replicate similar endorsements to build a nationwide consensus.

As Nigeria moves deeper into its current electoral cycle, the Borno endorsement highlights how regional political blocs are already shaping the contours of the 2027 race—long before official campaigns begin.

Borno APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu, Shettima for 2027, Signal Early Political Realignment