Operation Wetie: I see nothing wrong in what Makinde said – Laolu Akande

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has defended Governor Seyi Makinde over the controversy surrounding his “Wetie” remark at the recent Ibadan political summit, insisting that the Oyo governor’s comments were taken within the proper political context and did not amount to incitement. Akande made the remarks while speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, where […]

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has defended Governor Seyi Makinde over the controversy surrounding his “Wetie” remark at the recent Ibadan political summit, insisting that the Oyo governor’s comments were taken within the proper political context and did not amount to incitement.

Akande made the remarks while speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, where he addressed the growing debate sparked by Makinde’s statement during the summit held in Ibadan.

According to Akande, there was nothing unusual or inflammatory in Makinde’s comments, noting that political parties are expected to frame narratives and counter-narratives in a democratic environment.

“I see nothing wrong in what Makinde said at that meeting,” Akande stated.

The former presidential spokesman explained that Makinde’s message was essentially a political warning against a return to periods of instability and political intolerance, adding that such expressions are legitimate within democratic discourse.

“What [Seyi] Makinde is saying is that, look, we don’t want to go back to those days, and it’s perfectly in order to say that. I don’t see any problem,” he said.

Akande, however, acknowledged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would naturally seek to interpret the statement through a political lens.

“But of course opposition—I mean, the APC must come up with a narrative and say, ‘Hey, that man wants to cause trouble,’” he added.

Beyond the immediate controversy, Akande also used the opportunity to advocate broader political reforms, particularly on power rotation and inclusiveness within Nigeria’s geopolitical arrangement.

“I believe that it should also rotate, you know, even in the south and in the north. It shouldn’t just be stuck in Southwest or Northwest; it should rotate around the six geopolitical zones,” he said.

His comments come amid intensifying political conversations around zoning, power rotation, and coalition-building ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde’s remarks at the Ibadan summit had generated mixed reactions, with critics accusing him of invoking a historically sensitive phrase, while supporters argued that his message was aimed at defending democratic values and warning against political excesses.

Akande’s intervention now adds a prominent voice to the debate, framing Makinde’s statement as a legitimate political expression rather than a divisive comment, while also reigniting discussions on equitable power sharing across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.