The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has blamed Governor Seyi Makinde for the rising wave of insecurity in the state, accusing his administration of failing to build an effective security architecture, Peak Newspaper reports.
In a statement issued and made available to Peak Newspaper in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC lamented the recent cases of kidnappings, murders, hoodlum attacks and other violent crimes across the state, noting that the situation contrasted sharply with developments in other South-West states.
The opposition party accused Governor Makinde of engaging in “lip service, unhealthy politicking and showmanship” instead of taking decisive steps to tackle insecurity.
According to the APC, the governor, who is constitutionally recognised as the Chief Security Officer of the state, had continued to shift responsibility to the Federal Government while allegedly neglecting his own duties.
The criticism followed the recent abduction of teachers and students during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.
Governor Makinde had on Thursday expressed concern over the incidents, describing the situation as a difficult period for both himself and the state. He also renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to empower state Houses of Assembly to facilitate its creation.
However, the APC faulted the governor’s position, claiming he previously opposed the establishment of state police.
The party said, “Window dressing and populism cannot help in building and sustaining security architecture. The current administration started on a bad note in 2019 with the disengagement of critical stakeholders from joint security activities in the state.”
The APC further alleged that traditional rulers and other relevant institutions had been sidelined in security matters, while huge sums were spent on projects with little visible impact.
