The period between 1964 and 1965 in Western Nigeria stands as one of the most violent and consequential chapters in the country’s political evolution. Commonly referred to as Operation Wetie, this era was marked by widespread political upheaval and social breakdown that significantly weakened democratic governance in Nigeria’s First Republic. The crisis not only exposed deep fractures within the political elite but also accelerated the collapse of civil authority, ultimately contributing to the military coup of January 15, 1966.
---
What Was Operation Wetie? Origins and Meaning
The term “Operation Wetie” is derived from the colloquial combination of the English word “wet” and the Yoruba suffix “-ie,” effectively meaning “let’s wet it.” In the context of the crisis, it referred to the brutal practice of pouring petrol on political opponents—sometimes including human beings, buildings, cars, and political offices—and setting them ablaze. The violence was not a military campaign but a euphemism for chaotic partisan street violence and intimidation.
Operation Wetie was emblematic of political breakdown across Western Nigeria’s urban centres, including Ibadan, Lagos, Abeokuta, Ogbomosho, and beyond. As political supporters aligned with rival factions of the ruling party battled for dominance, violence became a primary instrument of political contestation. This period revealed the fragility of democratic norms and institutional safeguards in the post‑independence Nigerian state.
---
Political Roots: The Action Group Split
At the heart of the crisis was a bitter power struggle within the Action Group (AG)—the dominant political party in Western Nigeria that had played a central role in the region’s political ascendancy and in shaping nationalist politics following independence in 1960. The split occurred between two towering figures:
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the former Premier of the Western Region and the charismatic leader who had built the party’s political machine.
Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Awolowo’s former deputy, who became premier after the two fell out over leadership, ideology, and political strategy.
Tensions between Awolowo and Akintola dated back to the early 1960s and included disagreements over appointments, ideology, and control of party machinery. In February 1962, the party abolished the position of Deputy Leader—held by Akintola—and he was effectively removed from party leadership. Later that year, efforts by the Western Regional House of Assembly to oust Akintola as Premier touched off fierce resistance, leading to clashes on the floor of the legislature itself.
---
State of Emergency and Escalation of Violence
The immediate crisis of 1962 culminated in the federal government declaring a state of emergency in the Western Region in May 1962. Dr. Moses Majekodunmi was appointed as Sole Administrator to restore order—a significant federal intervention that temporarily suspended normal democratic processes. This was the first time such a measure was taken in Nigeria’s history, underscoring the seriousness of the breakdown in regional governance.
Under Majekodunmi’s administration, several political leaders were restricted, arrested, or detained, including Awolowo. Chief Awolowo was later tried and imprisoned for alleged treasonable felony, charges that continued to polarise opinion across the country. This punitive move effectively neutralised one of the most respected political figures in the West and deepened factional animosity.
---
Elections, Rigging, and Renewed Unrest (1964–1965)
The already tense political environment exploded during the 1964 federal elections and intensified in the 1965 Western Region elections. These elections were widely criticised for rampant rigging, intimidation, and voter suppression, particularly by the faction supporting Akintola and its alliance with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) at the federal level.
Opposition supporters saw the declaration of Akintola’s party as winners amid irregularities as a direct assault on democratic will. Protests—initially spontaneous—soon morphed into widespread violence characterised by arson, targeted attacks on political opponents, destruction of ballot boxes, and brutal street battles. It was during these episodes that the phrase “Operation Wetie” became embedded in Nigeria’s political lexicon.
---
The Human and Political Toll
The human cost of Operation Wetie was severe. Although precise numbers vary by source, hundreds of people were killed, and thousands more were displaced as homes, shops, cars, and public offices were burned. At least 160 deaths were conservatively estimated in some records, including electoral officers and civilians caught in the political crossfire.
Beyond loss of life and property, the period inflicted deep psychological and political wounds on Nigerian society. Communities were polarized along political and, at times, ethnic lines. Local governance was disrupted, and the rule of law was persistently undermined as partisan militias and street gangs became primary agents of political enforcement.
---
Institutional Breakdown and Loss of Confidence
Operation Wetie did more than provoke violent chaos; it exposed structural weaknesses within Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The inability of the police, judiciary, and regional government to contain the violence or hold perpetrators accountable eroded public confidence in constitutional governance. The legitimacy of elections—the key democratic mechanism—was severely damaged, with many Nigerians beginning to view the ballot as an ineffective tool for political change.
At a time when the nation was still adapting to post‑independence institutional building, this loss of faith in democratic processes had far‑reaching implications. It emboldened critics of civilian rule who argued that only a strong, centralised authority—such as the military—could restore order and national cohesion.
---
Prelude to the 1966 Military Coup
The cumulative effect of intense political violence and the failure of civilian governance in the Western Region helped set the stage for Nigeria’s first military coup on January 15, 1966. Disillusioned by corruption, factionalism, and the breakdown of law and order, a group of junior army officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu seized power, overthrowing the civilian government.
The coup plotters cited rampant political violence, including the events of Operation Wetie, as evidence that Nigeria’s democratic experiment had failed. In major cities across the country, soldiers arrested or executed political leaders, and in the Western Region, Premier Samuel Ladoke Akintola was killed in the chaos of the uprising.
---
Legacy of Operation Wetie: Lessons and Reflections
Operation Wetie remains a cautionary tale in Nigerian history. Its legacy includes:
Exposure of democratic vulnerabilities: The crisis revealed how fragile democratic institutions can be when undermined by internal divisions and weak legal enforcement.
Deepened factionalism: Political rivalries quickly turned violent, demonstrating the danger of personal ambition overshadowing institutional process.
Precedent for military intervention: Disillusionment with civilian governance created conditions that made segments of the military see itself as the remedy for political instability.
Enduring historical memory: For subsequent generations, Operation Wetie is a reminder of the consequences when democratic norms and respect for constitutional order are abandoned.
---
Conclusion: A Dark Chapter with Enduring Significance
Operation Wetie was not merely an isolated outbreak of violence. It was the culmination of years of political factionalism, electoral manipulation, and institutional weaknesses. By engulfing Western Nigeria in chaos, arson, and political terror, it weakened public faith in the democratic process and helped create conditions favourable to military intervention.
For contemporary readers and political observers, understanding Operation Wetie is essential to appreciating why democratic resilience requires strong institutions, respect for rule of law, transparent elections, and leadership committed to peaceful conflict resolution. The lessons learned from this turbulent period continue to resonate in discussions about governance, democratic consolidation, and political culture in Nigeria today.
0 Comments