2027 and the Wedding Gimmicks

As Nigeria hurtles towards the 2027 general election, the political landscape is already charged with tension, as evidenced by Governor Seyi Makinde's fiery invocation of 'Operation Wet ẹ' at a gathering of opposition parties. This declaration serves as a stark warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against any attempts at electoral manipulation. Makinde's strong words signal that the opposition is prepared to resist any perceived "pranks" aimed at undermining the democratic process, a sentiment that resonates with Nigeria's often tumultuous electoral history.

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With Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State invoking ‘Operation Wet ẹ’ at the Ibadan gathering of the ‘Participating Opposition Parties in Nigeria’ (we can also help them by adding the acronym, POPN), Nigerians do not need anyone to tell them that another desperate season is already upon us.

The governor's rhetoric is particularly striking given its historical echo. It mirrors the aggressive stance taken by Bola Tinubu, now the president, in 2014 when he threatened the then-administration of President Goodluck Jonathan with "rig and roast" tactics ahead of gubernatorial elections. This parallel highlights a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics where threats and counter-threats often dominate the pre-election discourse. The "armour bearer" analogy, as used by the Yoruba people, aptly captures the defensive and often confrontational posture politicians adopt when they feel their position is threatened.

This focus on threats and confrontation, rather than on substantive policy proposals, is a critical observation about the nature of Nigerian political campaigns. Politicians frequently frame their campaigns around displacing incumbents and warning against electoral fraud, a strategy that, as Olusegun Adeniyi notes, relies on "scaremongering" rather than offering genuine hope or a vision for the public good. The opposition's pledge to field a single presidential candidate against Tinubu, while seemingly strategic, is presented here as another facet of this self-deceiving, threat-based approach.

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They are already planning to rig the elections but be ready to protect your votes; nobody serves you freedom a la carte. It is going to be rig and roast.

Amidst this political maneuvering, the article also touches upon the judiciary's role, specifically referencing a pending Supreme Court judgment on the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The delay in this judgment, especially given the urgency of the matter, has unfortunately fueled speculation and raised concerns about the judiciary's impact on democratic processes and the rule of law. As the election season intensifies, the column, as stated by its author, will increasingly focus on political analysis, underscoring the critical need for a shift towards issue-based campaigns that prioritize the advancement of the public good over partisan threats and political gimmicks.

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We are prepared not to go to court but to drive you out. We will not take it anymore. If you mess up in Ekiti and Osun states, you will see our reactions. For every action, there must be a reaction.