The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent remarks on insecurity, accusing him of shirking his constitutional responsibility and demanding that he resign from office.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party faulted the governor’s assertion that his ability to address insecurity was limited because security agencies are under the control of the Federal Government.
The APC described the governor’s comments as evidence of “cluelessness, insincerity and ineptitude,” insisting that the responsibility of safeguarding lives and property remains a core duty of any elected governor.
The criticism followed Makinde’s comments during his acceptance speech as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan on Saturday.
The governor reportedly stated that he had limited powers to directly address the abduction of schoolchildren and other residents by bandits in parts of Oriire Local Government Area because he lacked operational control over security agencies.
Makinde had earlier renewed his call for the establishment of state police, citing the recent kidnapping of teachers and students from three schools in the council area.
He urged the Federal Government to empower state legislatures to facilitate the creation of state policing structures rather than leaving security administration solely in the hands of the Inspector-General of Police.
Reacting, the APC argued that the governor could not distance himself from security challenges after taking an oath of office to protect residents and uphold the constitution.
According to the party, Makinde had exercised the powers and privileges attached to his office without objection and should not seek excuses when confronted with major security concerns.
The APC further alleged that the governor was using the current security situation to advance what it described as an unrealistic presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The opposition party maintained that previous administrations in the state operated under the same constitutional framework without experiencing similar levels of insecurity.
It cited the administrations of former governors Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Abiola Ajimobi, noting that they managed security challenges through collaboration with stakeholders and strategic support for security agencies.
The party particularly referenced the Security Trust Fund established during Ajimobi’s tenure, saying it enhanced funding and coordination within the state’s security architecture.
Expressing concern over what it described as deteriorating security conditions, the APC insisted that Oyo residents deserved more effective leadership and called on Makinde to apologise to the people of the state.
The party concluded by urging the governor to step down and allow his deputy to oversee the affairs of the state for the remainder of the administration’s tenure.