Oyo APC Slams Makinde Over Security Remarks, Demands Resignation
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has strongly criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent comments on insecurity, accusing him of failing in his constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC rejected the governor’s claim that his ability to tackle insecurity is limited because security agencies are under the control of the Federal Government.
The opposition party described Makinde’s remarks as a display of “cluelessness, insincerity and incompetence,” insisting that a state governor cannot absolve himself of responsibility for the safety of residents.
The party further called on Makinde to resign from office and allow his deputy to complete the remaining one year of the administration.
According to the APC, leaders who fail to take responsibility for governance pose a threat to the progress of society and should not be entrusted with public office in the future.
The governor had reportedly made the comments while accepting his nomination as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) during the party’s primaries held in Ibadan on Saturday. He was said to have expressed frustration over the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, noting that security agencies remain outside his direct control.
Makinde had also renewed his call for the creation of state police, arguing that state governments need greater authority to respond effectively to security challenges. He urged the Federal Government to empower state legislatures to establish state policing structures rather than concentrating security control at the federal level.
Reacting, the APC argued that previous governors operated under the same constitutional arrangement without allowing insecurity to escalate to its current level. The party cited former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, which established a Security Trust Fund and worked closely with stakeholders to strengthen security across the state.
The APC accused Makinde of using the security situation to advance what it described as an unrealistic presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party maintained that Oyo residents deserve a governor who is sincere, humble and willing to take responsibility for governance challenges. It concluded by urging Makinde to apologise to the people of the state and step down from office if he believes he lacks the powers to effectively address insecurity.
