‘Operation Wetie’: Satguru Maharaj Ji Calls For Unity, Warns Against Inflammatory Rhetoric, Cautions Makinde
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Founder of the One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has cautioned Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his recent reference to “Operation Wetie,” urging restraint in political communication.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spiritual leader warned against comments capable of deepening ethnic suspicion or inflaming political tensions in the country.
While expressing goodwill towards the governor, Maharaj Ji advised him to tread carefully.
“We appreciate Governor Makinde; there is no doubt about that. However, he must be cautious in his utterances,” he said, adding that Oyo State should not become a battleground for political conflicts.
He further stressed the need for responsible leadership, noting that political power is transient and that accountability remains central to democratic governance.
“If the statement is indeed attributable to Governor Makinde, it is important for him to exercise caution, bearing in mind that leadership requires measured and unifying communication,” Maharaj Ji stated.
The caution follows remarks reportedly made by Governor Makinde during a national opposition summit in Ibadan, where he referenced Nigeria’s turbulent political past, including the infamous Operation Wetie, while warning against the dangers of one-party dominance.
The reference has since generated mixed reactions across the country. While some observers interpret it as a historical reminder against democratic backsliding, others view it as a sensitive and potentially inflammatory analogy.
“Operation Wetie” remains one of the most volatile episodes in Nigeria’s political history, associated with widespread violence, arson, and intense political rivalry in the Western Region during the First Republic.
Maharaj Ji emphasized that invoking such a charged historical term risks reopening old wounds and heightening tensions, particularly in an already fragile political climate.
He also alluded to historical precedents, warning that individuals who previously engaged in divisive political strategies did not achieve lasting success.
The development has sparked reactions from political actors, civil society groups, and opinion leaders nationwide, with many calling for moderation in political discourse.
Maharaj Ji’s intervention adds a moral and spiritual dimension to the ongoing debate, reinforcing broader calls for unity, peaceful engagement, and responsible leadership.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its evolving democratic landscape, stakeholders have urged political leaders to prioritize national cohesion over divisive rhetoric.