In the early 1960s, Nigeria’s First Republic (1960–1966) faced mounting political tension, particularly in the Western Region. The Action Group (AG), the dominant Yoruba political party, split into factions between leader Obafemi Awolowo and his deputy Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The resulting confrontations escalated into widespread violence historically referred to as Operation Wetẹ. The Yoruba term wetẹ, meaning “drench him/her,” described the aggressive tactics used by political supporters to intimidate and attack opponents.
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Crisis and Federal Intervention
The crisis intensified after 1962 when the Western Region House of Assembly attempted to remove Akintola as Premier through a vote of no confidence. The Governor, Sir Adesoji Aderemi both the Ooni of Ife and the region’s constitutional authority requested federal intervention. The central government declared a state of emergency in the Western Region and appointed Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro as interim Premier. This unprecedented federal action demonstrated the government’s willingness to override regional governance during political instability.
Escalation of Violence
Following the emergency, violence surged. Both factions engaged in assaults, arson, and property destruction targeting homes, party offices, and public infrastructure. Newspaper accounts and government reports confirm that Operation Wetẹ involved street clashes, intimidation campaigns, and armed political gangs. Electoral campaigns in 1964–1965 worsened the situation, with ballot manipulation, voter intimidation, and rigging, particularly in Western Region constituencies. Law enforcement failed to protect civilians or maintain impartial order.
Social and Economic Consequences
The crisis had devastating effects on society. Communities were disrupted, civilians were killed or displaced, and political engagement became dominated by coercion rather than democratic participation. Economically, destruction of property and administrative paralysis slowed local commerce, delayed government projects, and forced diversion of resources toward security measures. Although precise figures are unavailable, historians agree that instability significantly hindered regional development.
Colonial Legacies and Institutional Weakness
British indirect rule entrenched regional structures and ethnically aligned parties, including the AG, Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), and National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). This legacy fostered competitive Yoruba elites whose post-colonial rivalry turned violent in the absence of strong democratic institutions. Operation Wetẹ thus exemplified the fragility of electoral and party mechanisms in managing internal disputes.
Contribution to the 1966 Coup
The Western Region crisis contributed directly to the military coup of 15 January 1966. The federal government’s inability to contain political violence, coupled with perceptions of corruption and election malpractice, convinced segments of the military that intervention was necessary. While ethnic tensions were also a factor, the scale of Operation Wetẹ demonstrated the dangers of factionalised politics and institutional fragility.
Legacy
Operation Wetẹ’s legacy lies in its demonstration of the consequences of unrestrained political competition. It shaped patterns of electoral violence, party factionalism, and federal-regional relations that persisted for decades. It also illustrates the long-term impact of colonial administrative practices, which left Nigeria with regionalised party politics and uneven enforcement capacity.
Operation Wetẹ arose from intra-party rivalry, weak institutions, and federal-regional tensions. It entailed widespread intimidation, violence, and property destruction, destabilising governance in the Western Region and influencing conditions that led to the 1966 coup. Its historical significance remains a cautionary tale about the importance of robust democratic institutions, electoral integrity, and disciplined political culture.
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Author’s Note
Operation Wetẹ shows how factionalism and weak institutions can escalate into mass political violence, affecting governance, society, and regional development. It remains a key lesson for managing elections and political disputes in multi-ethnic Nigeria.
References
Falola, Toyin & Heaton, Matthew. A History of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
Sklar, Richard L. Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation. Princeton University Press, 1963.
Olukoju, Ayodeji. “Operation Wetẹ and Political Violence in the Western Region, 1962–66.” ThisDayLive, 2025 retrospective analysis.
