Maha Christopher
The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent comments on insecurity, accusing him of failing in his constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
According to The Punch, the opposition party described Makinde’s remarks as a display of “cluelessness, insincerity and criminal ineptitude” and urged him to resign from office.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC rejected the governor’s claim that he was limited in addressing insecurity because security agencies are controlled by the Federal Government.
The party’s reaction followed comments by Makinde during the Allied Peoples Movement primaries in Ibadan, where he renewed calls for state police following the abduction of teachers and students from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde had argued that governors lacked full control over security agencies and called for state Houses of Assembly to be empowered to establish state police structures.
However, the APC insisted that the governor should not shift responsibility for the state’s security challenges.
“Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution as he gleefully swore on it twice to protect the lives and properties of the people of the state. He has been using the mightiness of his office to control power, resources and people without any complaints until now that he is faced with a serious challenge,” the statement said.
The party further accused the governor of attempting to use the insecurity situation to advance what it described as his 2027 presidential ambition.
“Certainly, Governor Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival but our fear is about the amount of losses, deprivations and wastefulness which the good people of the state would be subjected to in the next one year under his leadership,” the APC stated.
The party also compared the current security situation with previous administrations in the state, citing the efforts of former governors including Lam Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the APC, the late Ajimobi strengthened security through the establishment of a Security Trust Fund and collaboration with key stakeholders.
The party concluded by calling on Makinde to step down and allow his deputy to complete the remaining year of his administration.
“Oyo people deserve a team player, sincere and humble person as their governor. Since Makinde has failed to demonstrate this in the last seven years, he should apologise and quit the state. He should resign from office immediately and allow his deputy to complete the last year of his two-term tenure,” Sadare said.
