Insecurity In Oyo: APC Blames Makinde For Lack Of Direction; Makinde Insists On FG’s Failure

By Ayodele Oni 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has blamed the state government for what it described as the deteriorating security situation. It insisted that the administration’s approach to governance had weakened security coordination across the State.

But Governor Seyi Makinde urged the Federal Government to support constitutional reforms that would empower states to develop their own policing systems, saying this remained critical to improving security outcomes across the country.

The APC, however, rejected the governor’s position, insisting that the call for state police could not substitute for what it described as failures in governance and security management at the state level.

The APC, in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, argued that the current level of insecurity in Oyo State was avoidable, alleging that key stakeholders in community security structures had been sidelined in the government’s security strategy.

It also claimed that the state government had not effectively deployed resources meant to strengthen security operations, insisting that misplaced priorities had contributed to rising criminal activity.

“The administration has failed to properly manage the security architecture of the state. Instead of strengthening coordination at the grassroots, attention has been diverted to political showmanship.”

The APC further alleged that funds committed to surveillance and security equipment has not yielded visible results, while also faulting the welfare and operational capacity of the Amotekun Corps in the state.

According to the APC, poor remuneration and limited logistical support affected the effectiveness of local security operatives deployed across communities.

The party also revisited past debates on state policing, accusing Governor Makinde of inconsistency in his position on the issue, noting that he had previously opposed the proposal before recently supporting it.

It maintained that the governor must take responsibility for security lapses in the state as the constitutionally recognised chief security officer.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde, in a separate engagement in Ibadan, expressed concern over recent abductions in parts of the state, particularly attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The governor described the situation as troubling and assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of victims and restore calm to affected communities.

Makinde also renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would better address local security challenges than the current centralised structure.