Wike’s Aide Slams Makinde over "Operation Wetie" Allegations, N30bn Bodija Fund

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

IBADAN — The political atmosphere in Oyo State assumed a more volatile dimension on Monday as Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accused Governor Seyi Makinde of attempting to incite a repeat of the 1960s "Operation Wetie" political violence in the South-West.

Olayinka, in a strongly-worded statement, alleged that the Governor is tilting toward desperation due to his dwindling influence within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He claimed that Makinde’s failure to secure absolute control of the party structure for a perceived Vice Presidential ambition has led to a dangerous rhetoric that could undermine the peace of the region.

The aide further asserted that the Governor’s current political challenges are self-inflicted, citing unsuccessful attempts to interfere with the traditional institution of Ibadanland, specifically regarding the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. He also alleged that the administration failed in a bid to use a "forced" coronation process to truncate the governorship aspirations of Senator Sharafadeen Alli of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a fresh twist to the ongoing controversy surrounding the January 2024 Bodija explosion, Olayinka challenged Governor Makinde to account for the N30 billion reportedly collected from the Federal Government to compensate victims. He noted that despite the Governor’s public posturing about returning the funds to the federal coffers, there is no evidence that such a refund has been made, nor have the victims been fully settled.

Olayinka questioned the Governor’s moral standing in allegedly threatening violence over his loss of relevance in the PDP, especially as he reportedly shops for a Vice Presidential ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He pointedly asked if the Governor would be willing to put his own children in the line of fire to lead any planned unrest.

While the Oyo State Government has previously maintained that it is managing the Bodija funds with transparency and waiting for further federal tranches before full disbursement, this latest onslaught from the Wike camp signals a deepening crack in the relationship between the two political heavyweights ahead of the 2027 polls.