Ex-deputy Gov, APC In War Of Words Over Killings In Ondo

The former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, has called on the state governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to seek help and take actions that will rescue the state from the grip of invading bandits.

Ajayi, who was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last governorship election in the state, said the sloppiness and lethargy with which Governor Aiyedatiwa is conducting the affairs underscored his ill-preparedness and incompetence to be in the saddle.

In a swift reaction, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state urged the former deputy governor to stop playing politics with security.

Director, media and publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, said the former deputy governor’s comments are aimed at exploiting the security for political gain, adding that he chose to engage in fear-mongering to cause panic rather than offering constructive criticism or solutions.

Firing the first salvo, the former deputy governor, Ajayi, noted that the government must as a matter of fact revamp Amotekun immediately and ensure the re-creation of Armed Forest Guards that will police the “state forests and uproot all invading criminal elements so that peace can reign in our state.”

Reacting to the protest that shut the Governor’s Office at Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital over the killings and Kidnapping in the state, Ajayi said, “The need to take full grip of this crisis cannot be delayed a day longer.”

In a statement he personally signed and made available to LEADERSHIP in Akure, he said “Due fact is accorded the fact that Mr Governor takes over a billion naira as security vote, it is time to make the administration of this fund bear results in the interest of the State, we the people do not deserve anything less.

“For the past few weeks, Ondo State has been in the news for the very wrong reasons, the people are troubled about an emerging culture of kidnapping, banditry and killings, as at the last count, about a hundred people have been killed by criminals who invaded our State from elsewhere.

“Today, the people of Akure felt that they have had enough of this ugly development, they invaded the premises of the Government office to express their indgnition and frustration over this ridiculous development for which the APC government of Mr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has no answer.

“Let me underscore the fact that the security challenge confronting Ondo State is not an entirely new development, but Governments before the present have adeptly managed this odious crisis and disallowed it to fester to the level it is today.

“While I was deputy Governor of Ondo State between 2017-2021, working dutifully alongside my late boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, we developed a robust plan, and implemented actions that put banditry and criminality in check. We stopped outrightly open grazing of cattle by herdsmen and sanity ruled. Unfortunately the gains of that era have been allowed to slip away and the people are now in pain!

“I encourage our people to begin to organise to defend themselves from undue assaults by bandits while we hope that the Gov Ayedatiwa will get his acts together soon.”

Reacting, APC’s director, media and publicity,  Otaloro, cautioned Ajayi against politicising security in the state.

He said “it is essential to note that the issue of insecurity is not unique to Ondo State. It is a national challenge that has plagued many regions, and attributing its emergence solely to the current administration is both misleading and unfair.”

Otaloro further stated that Governor Aiyedatiwa inherited a “complex landscape of security threats that requires a multifaceted approach, and he has been committed to tackling these issues head-on.”

According to him, “Governor Aiyedatiwa has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing the security architecture of Ondo State. Under his leadership, the Amotekun Corps has been strengthened, and the collaboration between local security agencies and community leaders has been prioritized.

“These efforts have been instrumental in curbing crime rates and restoring peace in affected areas. It is important to recognize that security is a shared responsibility, and the government is actively working with citizens to foster a safer environment.

“Mr. Agoola Ajayi’s assertions regarding the alleged inefficacy of the current administration are not only unfounded but also politically motivated. His comments reflect a blatant attempt to exploit the sensitive issue of security for political gain, especially after his significant defeat in the last governorship election. Instead of offering constructive criticism or solutions, he chooses to engage in fear-mongering, which only serves to create panic among the populace.

“As a former Deputy Governor, Mr. Ajayi is aware of the delicate nature of security matters. His public pronouncements, including the dissemination of unverified figures regarding the state’s security votes, not only undermine the efforts of the government but could also inadvertently provide critical information to criminals. It is imperative that he exercise caution in his statements, as baseless claims could jeopardize the safety of our citizens.

“We urge Mr. Ajayi to adopt a more responsible approach when discussing security issues. Instead of playing to the gallery, he should focus on collaborative efforts that promote peace and security in Ondo State. The people of Ondo State deserve leaders who prioritize their safety over political ambition.”