Social crusader Olufemi Aduwo has taken issue with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its criticism of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the party's accusation of incitement against the governor as misguided and politically motivated.
Aduwo Defends Makinde's Remarks
Aduwo, who serves as the Permanent Representative of the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI) to the United Nations, stated that the ruling party misrepresented the context of Makinde's reference to “Operation Wetie.” He emphasized that the governor's remarks were cautionary and intended to remind political actors of the dangers associated with undermining democratic processes and allowing political arrogance to go unchecked.
According to Aduwo, interpreting the historical reference as an endorsement of violence amounted to a distortion of its meaning. He said the APC's reaction reflected a failure to appreciate the significance of historical analogies in political discourse.
Historical Warnings Misinterpreted
The rights advocate argued that references to past events should be seen as warnings against repeating mistakes rather than attempts to inflame tensions. He expressed concern over what he described as attempts to weaken historical consciousness and suppress dissenting opinions in the political space.
Aduwo warned that deliberate misrepresentation of public statements could pose risks to Nigeria's democratic stability and deepen political mistrust. He urged the APC to focus on introspection instead of attributing motives to political opponents.
Call for Mature Political Culture
Aduwo added that Nigeria needed a political culture built on honesty, maturity and issue-based engagement rather than propaganda and needless controversy. “Operation Wetie served as a sober reminder of the catastrophic consequences that occur when democratic processes are subverted and political arrogance festers unchecked,” he said.
“To interpret this warning as a call to violence is intellectually dishonest. By attempting to criminalize a legitimate historical reference, the APC exposes an unease with the truth and a discomfort with the lessons of unchecked political excess.”
