‘Fix Oyo First’ – Presidency Replies Makinde On Insecurity

The presidency has accused the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, of playing politics with the challenges of insecurity.

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a statement via his 𝕏 Account on Friday, accused Governor Makinde of attempting to shift responsibility for managing Oyo State’s security to the federal government.

The presidential aide stated that Tinubu is fully committed to fighting insecurity and would not be distracted by political statements.

Naija News recalls that Makinde had earlier accused the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu of delaying the creation of state police in Nigeria.

He also alleged that Lagos State remain passive in the creation of Amotekun Corps to serve as a regional security outfit for the southwest.

However, the presidency, in response, denied claims that Lagos boycotted Amotekun.

Quoting the video in which Makinde spoke, Olusegun said the Oyo State Governor has not been able to properly fund the Amotekun, while Lagos State has successfully overcome the funding challenges for state security outfits.

According to him, if Makinde can not adequately finance a regional security outfit, he may not be able to manage the financial demands of state police.

Olusegun, therefore, challenged Makinde to fix the security challenges in Oyo State first before giving lectures on how to fight national security challenges.

He wrote, “Gov. Seyi Makinde’s recent outburst accusing President Tinubu of “wasting time” on State Police and claiming Lagos boycotted Amotekun for political points is just a masterclass in deflection. When a Governor is grappling with rising insecurity in his own state, the instinct to scapegoat the center is predictable.

“Makinde claims Lagos ignored Amotekun to appease PBAT, which is entirely false, with the President being one of the voices that clamoured for a local security network to aid the federal efforts on Security.

“Makinde praises Amotekun as his glorious “stop-gap,” yet the reality in Oyo is tragic underfunding. While Lagos mobilizes billions for the welfare and resources of all security apparatus in Lagos state, Oyo sends brave Amotekun operatives into forests with pump-action rifles to fight AK-47-wielding syndicates. Press conferences don’t buy ballistic vests.

“If Gov. Makinde cannot adequately finance, equip, and manage his own regional vigilante group, how does he plan to shoulder the colossal financial burden of a full-fledged State Police? State policing requires forensic labs, armories, pensions, and unassailable funding, not just loud rhetoric.

“President Tinubu understands that constitutional security reform requires meticulous legality and rigid economic frameworks, not rushed politics to distract from local failures.

“Before lecturing the architect of Nigeria’s most successful security funding model, Gov. Makinde owes the people of Oyo State a duty of care. Elevate Amotekun from a poorly funded political prop into a tactically superior force. Until then, the lectures remain hollow.

“Fix Oyo first!!!.”