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.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A woman observing purdah, Hajia Halimat Funmilayo Hassan Zarruq, has declared her intention to contest the Kwara Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Zarruq, from Balogun Fulani Ward 1 in the Ilorin South Local Government Area, is a longstanding member of the PDP with a record in grassroots mobilisation and local political organisation. Her declaration was contained in a statement released recently.

She has held public service roles as a medical officer, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Kwara State Water Corporation in 2003, where she was involved in the oversight of public utility services.

In a statement issued by her, she said her ambition is focused on representation that delivers “tangible benefits” to constituents, listing her priorities to include inclusive governance, economic support for small businesses and artisans, improved access to education and healthcare, and targeted programmes for women and youth. She also identified teachers’ welfare as an area requiring policy attention.

She said: “We’re focusing on youth and Women Development through advancing of empowerment initiatives, skills acquisition programmes, and economic opportunities. Also we’re fostering harmony and strengthening social cohesion across all communities in Kwara Central.”

Her entry into the race has drawn attention within political circles, particularly because she observes purdah, a religious and cultural practice associated with modesty and limited public exposure among some Muslim women.

Observers said the development could strengthen ongoing advocacy for greater female participation in politics, especially in the Northern Nigeria where cultural and religious considerations have historically influenced women’s visibility in public life.

By seeking elective office while maintaining her religious observance, analysts noted that her candidacy may challenge prevailing assumptions about the compatibility of cultural practices and political engagement, potentially encouraging more women to consider active roles in governance.

According to the observers, “A review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) shows no legal restriction preventing women in purdah from contesting elections.

“Section 42 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or religion, while Section 38 guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to manifest religious beliefs.

“Sections 65 and 66 outline the qualifications for election into the National Assembly, focusing on citizenship, age, education, and party sponsorship, without reference to gender or religious practice.

“Under the Constitution, eligibility for elective office is not affected by religious observance, including purdah. Any limitations would arise from social or political dynamics rather than legal provisions.”

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Political heavyweights, under the auspices of the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Caucus, have endorsed the aspiration of the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sadiq Suleiman Umar, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the party in the 2027 general elections.

They recommended the legislator to the APC leadership as consensus flag-bearer of the party from the northern region of the State.

Addressing a media briefing in Ilorin, the Chairman of the State APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Bamisaiye Ayeni, said the Kwara North Senator has been found to possess qualities required to lead the State after the exit of incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on May 29, 2027.

Ayeni, who addressed the press conference alongside members of the Caucus, urged other aspirants from the Kwara North Senatorial District to drop their aspirations and queue behind Senator Umar that has been adopted by the Elders Caucus Assembly member to fly the flag of the party in the State in the 2027 general elections.

He said the decision to back Senator Umar as a candidate is in line with the resolution of the Caucus for gubernatorial seat to return to Kwara North in the next dispensation.

The APC Elders Caucus Chairman added that the aspirant’s antecedents and past records of services in both public and private sectors stand him out among those jostling for the covetous seat of the State Governor from the region.

“We have come to the conclusion to endorse Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar’s aspiration, based on our findings, after we have engaged and interacted with the Aspirants from the Senatorial District.

“Thereafter, we have assessed all of them and found him to have excelled above others in terms of his sense of humility to all, complete culturally and socially detribalized attributes, display of ability, capability and capacity to perform, confirmed past impressive records and experiences in both public and private services to the nation, also possession of other pedigrees that are required and demanded, for the exalted office of the Governor.

“From the foregoing qualities, we would like to recommend Distinguished Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar to the leadership of our party, the APC, at both the state and national levels, to be considered and adopted as the consensus candidate of the party from Kwara North Senatorial District, who will fly the party’s flag for the Kwara State gubernatorial election in 2027.

“At this juncture, we would like to prevail on other aspirants from Kwara North Senatorial District to willingly support him, in the overall interest and spirit of oneness, sense of belonging and unity of purpose, for the people of the district in particular and the entire Kwara State in general”, Ayeni said.

Those who attended the press conference include Senator Ahmed Mohammed, Retired General Agbabiaka, former state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Salman Jawondo (SAN); former Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abdulmumin Sidiq Katibi; and retired Permanent Secretary Samuel Ayobola among others.