By Sodiq Adelakun
The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for the United Nations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings, abductions and eventual rescue of 44 victims in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the move as “shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party said the governor’s position represented “the height of ineptitude, cluelessness and grandstanding.”
The APC urged Makinde to be “circumspect, decorous and statesman-like in his politicking” as his tenure draws to a close in about 10 months.
The criticism followed the governor’s remarks on Monday after receiving the rescued victims at the Government House in Ibadan, where he said the circumstances surrounding the incident were grave enough to warrant an independent investigation by the United Nations and international human rights organisations.
Makinde had also alleged during a visit to Bauchi State on Friday that the attacks on Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities were orchestrated by individuals opposed to his reported 2027 presidential ambition.
Reacting, the APC argued that although Nigeria had continued to grapple with banditry and other violent crimes, Oyo had become the worst-affected state in southern Nigeria since Makinde assumed office in 2019.
“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,” the statement read.
The party accused the governor of politicising issues relating to public welfare and security, alleging that he had consistently blamed security challenges on his inability to control federal security agencies.
“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,” the APC stated.
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The opposition party further dismissed Makinde’s reported presidential ambition, describing it as unrealistic and lacking the necessary leadership credentials.
The APC also cited Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, which limits external interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states, arguing that the governor’s call for an international investigation was misplaced.
The party added that if Makinde insisted on demanding an external probe, he should also subject himself to investigations over several issues, including allegations relating to local government funds, the killings in Igangan, the N7.7 billion surveillance aircraft deal, the Bodija explosion relief fund and other state projects.
The governor has yet to officially respond to the APC’s latest criticism.
