The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has strongly criticized Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent comments regarding the worsening security situation in the state, accusing him of failing to understand and discharge his constitutional responsibilities as governor.
In a statement released on Sunday in Ibadan by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party dismissed Makinde’s assertion that his ability to address insecurity is limited because security agencies are controlled by the Federal Government.
The APC described the governor’s position as an attempt to evade responsibility for the security challenges confronting residents of the state. According to the party, Makinde’s remarks reflected a lack of leadership and accountability at a time when citizens expect decisive action from their elected officials.
The party characterized the governor’s comments as “a height of cluelessness, insincerity and criminal ineptitude,” arguing that he should not blame the Federal Government for insecurity within Oyo State.
Beyond criticizing his remarks, the APC went further to call for Makinde’s resignation, urging him to step aside and allow Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal to complete the remaining year of the administration’s tenure.
The opposition party maintained that leaders who consistently shift responsibility during periods of crisis pose a threat to effective governance and national development. It urged voters to be more cautious in future elections when choosing individuals for public office.
“Parochial leaders like Makinde pose a grave danger to the growth and development of the Nigerian society, and it is important for the electorate to avoid them in future elections,” the statement noted.
The controversy followed comments reportedly made by Governor Makinde while accepting the presidential ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) during a party event held in Ibadan on Saturday. During his speech, the governor reportedly suggested that there was little he could do directly regarding the abduction of schoolchildren and other residents in parts of Oriire Local Government Area because he lacked direct authority over the nation’s security agencies.
The recent kidnappings involving students and teachers in the local government area have generated widespread concern among residents and intensified discussions about the need for improved security measures in the state.
Earlier in the week, the governor renewed his advocacy for the establishment of state police, arguing that the current centralized security structure limits the ability of state governments to respond effectively to emerging security threats.
Makinde made the call during the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries organized by the Allied Peoples Movement at the Watershed Celebration Centre along Old Ife Road in Ibadan.
He explained that the abduction incident had created a difficult period for his administration and highlighted what he described as the urgent need for states to have greater control over policing and local security operations.
The governor also appealed to the Federal Government to support constitutional reforms that would empower state Houses of Assembly to facilitate the creation of state police structures rather than concentrating policing powers solely under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the APC rejected the governor’s position, insisting that constitutional limitations do not absolve him of his responsibility to protect lives and property within Oyo State.
According to the party, Makinde willingly took the oath of office and accepted the obligations attached to the governorship position, including ensuring the safety and welfare of residents.
“Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution as he gleefully sworn 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 which came his way on account of incompetence, cluelessness and ego,” the APC stated.
The party further accused the governor of attempting to exploit the current security crisis to advance what it described as an unrealistic presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the APC, Makinde’s recent comments exposed what it called inconsistencies in his leadership style and demonstrated an inability to effectively manage the affairs of the state.
The opposition party also compared the current administration with previous governments in Oyo State, arguing that past governors operated under the same constitutional framework without experiencing similar levels of insecurity.
The statement cited former governors including the late Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Abiola Ajimobi as examples of leaders who maintained security despite operating within the same legal structure.
Particularly highlighting the administration of the late Ajimobi, the APC noted that he established a Security Trust Fund and encouraged collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen security operations across the state.
The party argued that such initiatives demonstrated that governors could play a significant role in enhancing security without requiring constitutional amendments.
The APC concluded by insisting that Oyo residents deserve leadership characterized by humility, teamwork, sincerity, and competence. It maintained that Governor Makinde has failed to display these qualities over the course of his administration.
“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.
“Oyo people deserve a team player, sincere and humble person as their governor and since Makinde has failed to demonstrate this in the last seven years, he should just apologize 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 added.
