By Akinwale Kasali
Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, a coalition of over 130 Self Determination Groups, has stated that South West Governors lack the capacity and the commitment to deal with rising waves of terrorism and Insecurity in the region.
It added what is facing Yorubaland is no longer crime of terror, but a declaration of war by non-state actors.
AYDM in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, said since 2010 when the Middle Belt areas were under attack, the six South West Governors saw all the signs of terrorist incursion to the region but failed to take any pro-active measure.
“They saw all the signals. They did nothing. Four prominent Yoruba Obas were killed, for instance Oba Kehinde Falodun, of the Agamo community in Akure North LGA, Ondo State who was murdered in his palace on February 18, 2026, after he resisted a kidnapping attempt, also, Oba Segun Aremu, the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti LGA, Kwara State was shot and killed inside his palace on the night of February 1, 2024, in a failed abduction attempt.
“Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Samuel Olatunji, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti and Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti were ambushed and murdered by armed Fulani militias on January 29, 2024, while returning from a security meeting in Ado-Ekiti.
“Same fate also befell Oba Adegoke Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon who was shot and killed by bandits on November 26, 2020, along the Elegbeka axis of the Ifon-Benin highway while returning to his Palace, and the South West Governors failed to act”, the statement read.
The Group added that beside these deaths, Oba of Okoloke around Egbe- West Yagba LGA,Kogi State was kidnapped on May 15 2025, ditto, the Ojibara of Bayagan, kwara state in 2025 and Oba Salman Aweda were also murdered this year, yet they did nothing, not even condolence messages.
“None of the State Governors visited the families of the traditional rulers, none of them visited Kwara after the massacre of over 160 people including women and children just as they were not bothered when Yagba West was invaded and also part of Ogun.
AYDM said Amotekun is largely populated by cronies of politicians adding that up till now, the civil corps has no insurance cover for operatives.
“Amotekun is poorly armed. They are poorly trained and lack the capacity to confront terrorists that were trained in field operations,combat, infantry and handling of explosives including mines.
“The State Governors have not even provided ordinary anti-bullet helmets, no bullet proof vests, no jungle boots and no night and day binoculars to sight enemies from afar”, AYDM said.
It noted further that these are simple gadgets needed for the protection of Amotekun members which the Governors have failed to provide while regional integration of the corps, information sharing, joint training, common security control rooms and data processing units are absent.
The coalition of over 130 Pan Yoruba groups said dealing with terrorism needs knowledge, courage, selflessness, commitment and deep understanding which the South West political leaders lack.
It noted that the latest attacks on Community School in Oriire in Oyo State further confirm the docile and nonchalant attitude of political actors in the region.
It said it took almost two weeks before the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde visited the family of those kidnapped while none of his counterparts sent emissaries to show solidarity with the affected communities.
“The event during the visit of Makinde where he was putting on ceremonial dress while the wife of the kidnapped school principal was in black, the cultural apron that shows a state of mourning in Yoruba culture and the gorgeous dresses, smiles, banters exchanges by the Federal Government delegation to Oyo after two weeks of pain and anguish were clear signals that the current political leadership have no conscience, no sense of purpose and are emotionally detached from the people they govern”, Popooola stated
AYDM said bad and corrupt leaders are notorious for their cold attitude to the plight of the people they govern which accounts for the merciless ways they manage public funds, oppress and dehumanise the people they govern.
The coalition said the declining number of votes in the South West despite the huge population further proven by the popular apathy of Yoruba people towards the All Progressive Congress, (APC) primary was a clear indication of vote of no confidence in the South West political leadership adding that for the first time, the South West dropped into number three on regional voters electoral strength.
It further added that when democracy turns to the rule of the few, by the few and for the few; the consequences are usually fatal for the operators of the system.
AYDM said the people of the South West are running out of patience adding that if the Government fails to secure the people, the people on their own will be compelled to defend themselves and even hold the elected leaders responsible in a very harsh and decisive way.
“If they have heeded our repeated calls to work with their counterparts in Kogi and Kwara States to tackle the menace of the rampaging Fulani militias the story would have been different today”, the statement reads.
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