The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, on Tuesday, condemned Governor Seyi Makinde’s call on the United Nations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings, abductions and subsequent rescue of 44 abductees in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, describing it as “shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader.”
The APC, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, in Ibadan, described the governor’s position as “the height of ineptitude, cluelessness and grandstanding.”
The party urged the governor to be “circumspect, decorous and statesman-like in his politicking, even as he prepares to leave office in about 10 months.”
Makinde, in a broadcast after receiving the rescued victims at his office in Ibadan on Monday, said the circumstances surrounding the incident were sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny. He called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the matter.
The governor had also said on Friday in Bauchi State that the attacks on Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota were carried out by individuals opposed to his 2027 presidential ambition.
Responding, the APC said, “Nigeria has been battling banditry and related crimes in recent times, and this can be attributed to a number of factors. But most people are worried that Oyo has emerged as the worst-hit state in the southern part of the country since 2019, when Makinde came on board.
“Meanwhile, events in the last two months have provided answers to many questions being raised in that regard. Oyo State has a governor who plays politics with everything, including the welfare and security of the masses.
Cluelessness is when a governor feels he would only function well as the Chief Security Officer of his state if he were handed the power to appoint and control the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and the rest of them.
“It is safe to say that it is on this premise that Governor Makinde has thrown his hat into the ring as a contestant for the presidency, but his laughable ambition cannot see the light of day because he lacks the wherewithal to lead a nation like Nigeria. But for dirty politicking, naivety and cluelessness, an average elite should know about Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, which shields sovereign states from external interference.
“And if it becomes a must for Makinde to make such a call, he should be courageous enough to submit himself to investigations over the diversion of local government funds, the abduction and brutal killings of Igangan residents, the N7.7bn surveillance aircraft deal, the firefighting truck scam, the possession of lethal weapons by Mukaila Auxiliary, the N50bn Bodija explosion relief fund, the Agbowo Shopping Complex contract, the Ibadan Airport and stadium upgrade projects, loan scandals, among others.”