Dare Babalola
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign from office, arguing that his recent comments on the security situation in the state amount to an admission that he can no longer effectively discharge his constitutional responsibilities.
The opposition party made the demand on Sunday in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, following remarks by the governor concerning the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde had reportedly stated that there was little he could do to directly tackle insecurity because security agencies are under the control of the Federal Government, while reiterating his long-standing call for the establishment of state police.
Reacting to the governor’s position, the APC said his comments were disappointing and unacceptable, insisting that the office of governor comes with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and welfare of citizens regardless of the constitutional limitations surrounding control of security agencies.
According to the party, Makinde willingly swore to uphold the Constitution and protect the lives and property of residents when he assumed office and therefore cannot now cite constitutional constraints as an excuse for the growing security challenges confronting parts of the state.
The APC argued that by publicly acknowledging his inability to guarantee adequate security, the governor had effectively admitted failure and should step aside in the interest of the state.
“Since Governor Makinde has openly stated that he lacks the capacity and authority required to adequately secure the people of Oyo State, the honourable thing for him to do is resign from office and allow someone else to take over the responsibility,” the party said.
The opposition further accused the governor of attempting to deflect attention from the insecurity crisis by reviving the debate on state police and linking the issue to his perceived presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
It maintained that previous governors operated under the same constitutional framework without making similar excuses, stressing that effective leadership, collaboration with security agencies and stakeholder engagement remain critical tools available to every state governor.
The party cited the administration of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, noting that his government established a Security Trust Fund and strengthened cooperation among security stakeholders to address threats across the state.
The APC also expressed concern over what it described as a decline in the state’s security architecture, warning that residents were increasingly becoming vulnerable to criminal activities, including kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
Sadare said the governor’s latest remarks revealed a lack of preparedness to confront the security challenges facing the state and called on him to apologise to Oyo residents for what the party described as years of ineffective leadership.
The APC consequently urged Makinde to relinquish power immediately and allow his deputy to complete the remaining year of the administration, insisting that Oyo people deserve leadership capable of providing confidence, direction and security at a time of growing uncertainty.
The governor’s comments came days after the abduction of teachers and students from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that renewed concerns about insecurity in parts of Oyo State and reignited the debate over the creation of state police across the country.
