APC youth leader: Gov Makinde criticising Tinubu to distract Oyo people from his failures
Olalekan Glory, All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in Oyo, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of using his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s position on state police and the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, to divert attention from security challenges in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday, Glory said Makinde should focus on addressing insecurity rather than criticising the president.
“Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent outburst against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over State Police and Amotekun is nothing but another desperate attempt to divert attention from the monumental failure of his administration in securing lives and property in Oyo State,” he said.
The APC youth leader said the governor owed residents explanations over recurring incidents of kidnapping, robbery and communal clashes despite resources allocated to security.
“It is laughable that a governor under whose watch insecurity has continued to thrive across many parts of Oyo State now wants to lecture the President on security architecture.
“Governor Makinde should first explain to the people of Oyo State why kidnapping, robbery, clashes, and farmers-herders crises have become recurring headlines despite the huge security votes allocated to his government yearly,” he said.
Glory argued that Amotekun was created to complement federal security agencies and not to replace a constitutionally established state police structure.
“The truth is simple: Amotekun was never designed to replace a constitutionally-backed State Police structure. It was merely a regional security intervention created to complement existing federal security agencies.
“For Governor Makinde to claim that Lagos State did not join Amotekun because President Tinubu ‘didn’t want it’ only exposes his shallow understanding of governance and history.
“Lagos has consistently pioneered effective community policing models and security innovations long before many states woke up to the realities of grassroots security management. The President’s track record in Lagos remains unmatched in modern Nigerian history,” he said.
Glory asked the governor to explain why some communities in Oke-Ogun and other parts of the state remained vulnerable to attacks.
“Why has his government failed to fully equip local security outfits despite enormous allocations? Why are rural communities in Oke-Ogun and other areas still vulnerable to attacks?
Why has intelligence gathering under his administration remained weak? Why are many residents losing confidence in the state’s security coordination?” he queried.
The APC youth leader said Tinubu inherited a difficult security situation and had pursued reforms through increased support for security agencies and intelligence-driven operations.
His words: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited a deeply challenged national security situation and has shown commitment toward comprehensive reforms, increased support for security agencies, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with state governments irrespective of party affiliation.
“Unfortunately, Governor Makinde prefers media theatrics and political grandstanding over serious governance. His comments at the APM gubernatorial primary were reckless, divisive, and unbecoming of a governor who should focus on fixing the glaring security failures in his own backyard.
“The people of Oyo State deserve leadership, not excuses. They deserve solutions, not political drama. Governor Makinde should stop using President Tinubu as a cover for his administration’s shortcomings and concentrate on delivering the safety and security he promised the people.
“Therefore, we stand firmly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to build a safer, united, and more secure Nigeria. No amount of political blackmail or cheap populism from Governor Makinde can erase the visible failures of the PDP government in Oyo State.”
