2027: Atiku, Makinde, Kwankwaso, Obi scheming for interim govt - Group alleges

A disturbing pattern of political maneuvering is emerging as we approach the 2027 general elections, and a prominent political group, Ndigbo For Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT), has sounded the alarm. They accuse leading opposition figures – including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and ex-Kano Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso – of allegedly plotting to establish an interim government should their party falter in the presidential race.

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The opposition coalition leaders, through their actions and statements at this summit, have sent a subtle yet menacing message to the ruling APC, hinting at the potential invocation and replication of the infamous “1965 Operation Wetie” if the circumstances of the 2027 elections do not go in their favor.

The group's statement, issued by National Coordinator Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Secretary General Dr. Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jnr, points to the recent national opposition summit in Ibadan as evidence. They interpret the actions and speeches at this gathering as a clear signal that these opposition chieftains are not interested in a free, fair, and credible election in 2027. Instead, NDI-ABAT claims they are preparing to unleash a replication of the infamous "1965 Operation Wetie," a period marked by widespread election violence, if the outcome proves unfavorable.

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One cannot help but wonder if Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks about a possible replication of ‘Operation Wetie’ signifies the opposition’s preparedness to engage in election – related violence as a means to usher in an Interim National Government.

What is particularly concerning from our perspective in Nigeria is the deliberate choice of Ibadan as the venue for this summit. Ibadan was the epicenter of the "1965 Operation Wetie," and its selection, according to NDI-ABAT, cannot be a mere coincidence. It is seen as a calculated warning, a veiled threat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) about the potential chaos that awaits if the opposition perceives the election results as unfavorable. This echoes a historical pattern where political frustrations have unfortunately manifested in violence, undermining the democratic process.

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NDI – ABAT firmly condemns any political maneuvers that seek to introduce violence in the build up to the 2027 elections. The use of the “Operation Wetie” slogan by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde during the National Opposition Summit is not only a blatant threat to the very fabric of our democracy but is also completely unacceptable to the Nigerian people.

NDI-ABAT's call for a federal investigation into potential links between these opposition figures and the resurgence of terrorism and insecurity, particularly in the northern regions, highlights the gravity of their accusations. While Western media might focus on the electoral contest itself, we in Nigeria understand that such alleged plots, if true, strike at the very heart of our national security and stability. The invocation of "Operation Wetie" is not just a political slogan; it's a chilling reminder of a dark chapter in our history, and its resurgence in political discourse is deeply alarming. The Vanguard, as a publication committed to national unity and progress, views any attempt to destabilize our democracy through violence with the utmost condemnation.

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It is a matter of grave concern that the opposition leaders deliberately chose Ibadan, the epicenter of the ‘1965 Operation Wetie’ that led to widespread election – related violence, as the venue for their summit.