Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday again expressed deep concern over the abduction of teachers and students from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
He lamented that, “This is a very tough period for me as a person and also for our state.”
He, therefore, asked the Federal Government to empower the state Houses of Assembly to facilitate the creation of state police, rather than placing the responsibility in the hands of the Inspector General of Police.
The governor, speaking during the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries organised by the Allied People’s Movement and held at Watershed Celebration Centre, Old Ife Road in Ibadan, the state capital, said the current security challenges confronting parts of the country had further justified the need for state police structures.
The governor, however, said, “People know that security has always been one of the major pillars of this administration since we introduced Omituntun 1.0, and it remains a major focus.
“Before this administration came on board, there was nothing like Amotekun in Oyo. We wanted state police, but because we did not get it, we created Amotekun as an alternative arrangement.
“They should stop wasting Nigerians’ time. If they truly want state police, they should not ask the Inspector General of Police to create it for us.
“Our state houses of assembly should be given the authority and support to establish state police. Within the shortest possible time, state police will become a reality.”
He commended Oyo residents for supporting his administration and the existing political arrangement in the state, saying, “Omituntun agenda would continue beyond my tenure. You have seen Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0. Omituntun 3.0 will even be sweeter and better for the people.”
The governor then advised the APM governorship consensus candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, to forge his own political identity and not inherit his political battles.
“I have told Bimbo not to inherit my enemies. He should chart his own course.
“I am only human, and I made mistakes just like everyone else. Whatever we have done that can be improved upon should be improved upon for the benefit of our people in Oyo,” the governor said.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, Adekanmbi described the occasion as a defining moment in the political history of the state.
Today is not just another political gathering. Today is history speaking. Today is destiny unfolding. Today is the continuation of a movement that has restored hope to our people and dignity to governance in Oyo State.
“I appreciate the architect of modern Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, whose leadership has redefined governance and transformed politics in our dear state.
“At a time when many had lost faith in governance, he restored confidence. At a time when politics was driven by bitterness and division, he chose inclusion, competence and compassion.
“We are moving into an era of continued development, development that will not stop halfway, development that will not abandon the people, development that will reach the grassroots and empower our youths and women.
“We shall continue to strengthen education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, technology, commerce and especially the security of lives and property.”
Also on Thursday, consensus candidates of the party for the senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly emerged.
Group urges regional cooperation
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, The Ilana Omo Oodua, United States, has decried the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire LG and called for President Bola Tinubu’s quick intervention.
In a statement, the group expressed deep concern to all Yoruba (K’aaro Oojire) sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora, urging security agencies to deploy their competencies to locate and free the hostages.
While it frowned on the protracted widespread insecurity in the country, it described the action as barbaric and despicable, especially its effects on the region’s innocent children and adults who were seeking better living standards.
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr Uthman Kolapo, the group said, “This dastardly act has brought the care for humanity to its lowest levels in Nigeria.
“More so, the action can be viewed as equivalent to indirect psychological killings of Western education, which is highly valued by our race.
“On this ground, the Ilana Omo Oodua USA hereby condemns this nonsensical madness of behaviour in its entirety.
We are equally using this opportunity to call on the governors in Southwestern Nigeria and the Federal Government, headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to wake up to their lawful responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry before the situation gets out of hand.”
It also urged governors in the region to strengthen regional cooperation, call fanatic religious leaders to order or get them arrested.
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