Political rivalries in Nigeria, especially during elections, are as common as interrupted power supply. Is it Wike and the G5 governors? Or Atiku and Obasanjo? If there is a list of activities politicians love, beefing with each other will be Top 10.
The political beef we’ll focus on for today is decades old and was between legendary Nigerian political heavyweights Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Akintola. It got so bad that it laid the foundations for one of Nigeria’s most violent protests — Operation Wet-e.
To understand what Wet-e is all about, we need to understand the timeline of events, from when things fell apart between Akintola and Awolowo, to the rise of the 1966 military coup.
A Timeline of Events
1959 – Awolowo becomes the leader of the Action Group party (AG) while Samuel Akintola becomes deputy leader and Premier of the Western Region.
Jan 1962 – There is a fallout between Awolowo and Akintola concerning a suggestion for an alliance with the Northern People’s Congress (NCP). This results in factions for both men within AG.
Feb 1962 – Akintola and faction walk out of AG Jos Convention. Akintola loses his position as Western Premier.
Akintola’s violence
May 24, 1962 – A new premier, Dauda Adegbenro seeks a vote of no confidence in Akintola from Western House of Assembly. Akintola’s faction smashes windows and beats up members of parliament during meeting.
May 29, 1962
Dec 1962 – State of emergency parliament is lifted.
Obafemi Awolowo going to jail [The News Nigeria]
The start of Operation Wet-E
Jan 1963 – Akintola is reinstalled as Western Premier. He then forms the United People’s Party (UPP) consisting of his allies from Action Group. Enters into a coalition government with the NCNC party
1964 – UPP evolves to become the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP).
1965 – Massive rigging occurs by the NNDP during Western regional elections. This is in a bid to remain in power. Defeated politicians retaliate by pouring gasoline on opponents. This is Operation Wet-E.
15 January 1966 – Military personnel take over the country with Nigeria’s first-ever military coup.
March 1966 – Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, one of the coup’s leaders, admits that coup plotters were tired of corruption and incompetence. They also reveal Operation Wet-E was the breaking point that finally motivated them to take action.
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