Ndigbo For Tinubu 2027 Forum, a political group, has accused leading members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former vice president Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde; and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of planning an interim government if the ADC loses the presidential election in 2027.
The group alleged that the ADC chieftains, through their actions and speeches at the recent national opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, have sent a message that they do not want free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
In a statement by the National Coordinator and Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Dr Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jnr, the group stated that the coalition leaders want a replication of the 1965 Operation Wetie that led to widespread election violence in 2027 if the result of the election does not go in their favour.
“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 favour.
“One cannot help but wonder if Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks about a possible replication of ‘Operation Wetie’ signify the opposition’s preparedness to engage in election-related violence as a means to usher in an Interim National Government. It seems that they have realised their slim chances of defeating the incumbent President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections and are resorting to such extreme and undemocratic tactics.
“We call on the federal government to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there are any links between the proponents of the “Operation Wetie campaign” and the resurgence of terrorism and insecurity across the country, particularly in the northern region.
“We firmly condemn any political manoeuvres 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.
“It is a matter of grave concern that the opposition leaders deliberately chose Ibadan, the epicentre of the “1965 Operation Wetie’ that led to widespread election-related violence, as the venue for their summit.
”This choice can hardly be dismissed as a mere coincidence. It appears to be a calculated warning to the APC about what they might face in 2027.
”After careful analysis and consideration, we have reached the conclusion that the opposition coalition leaders have formed a united front to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
The group said that the ADC leaders seem to be considering the replication of the 1965 Operation Wetie as a political strategy to destabilise the presidency and demand the establishment of an interim national government, possibly under the leadership of a former president of Nigeria.
“This is a dangerous and unacceptable path that undermines the democratic process and the will of the Nigerian people,” the group said.
The group calls for a free, fair, and peaceful election in 2027 and urges all stakeholders, including the opposition, to engage in the political process within the framework of the law and respect the democratic principles.
“The use of violence and threats to achieve political goals is not only morally reprehensible but also a violation of the rights of the Nigerian people.”
