APC, Makinde Trade Blames Over Rising Insecurity in Oyo State

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and Governor Seyi Makinde have traded blames over the escalating insecurity in the state, following a recent surge in kidnappings, killings, and violent attacks in several communities.

The APC, in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, blamed the state government for what it described as the deteriorating security situation, insisting that the administration’s approach to governance had weakened security coordination across the state.

The party 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 said.

The opposition party further alleged that funds committed to surveillance and security equipment had 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 had 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.

He 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 political exchange comes amid growing public anxiety over repeated attacks on rural communities and schools in Oyo State, which have left residents increasingly concerned about safety and government response capacity.