The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently donate his monthly security allocation to curb the worsening insecurity in the state.
The opposition party who expressed worry over what it called unabated insecurity situation in the state also called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to be “compassionate, considerate, and passionate about the welfare and security of lives and property of the citizens, which he swore to protect.”
Speaking through the its state Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo in Akure, on Tuesday, the said the it can no longer pretend that all is well in the state “or rely on the usual rhetoric of government-is-on-the-top-of-the-situation empty narratives.”
“It will not only be cruel, heartless and ridiculous but equally lazy and insolent of the Governor Aiyedatiwa-led administration to conclude that the general insecurity being experienced in the whole country is the cause of the escalating insecurity in Ondo State and thus, folds its arms and expect the federal government to come and fight kidnappers and bandits in Ondo State.”
The party further stated that kidnapping and subsequent gruesome murder of an APC chieftain in Ose local government area in the state has exposed the vulnerability of the members of the ruling party like any other citizens, to avoidable tortures and ignominious deaths.
The PDP said the development required stakeholders to demand actions from the Ondo State Governor.
“We hold very tenaciously that human life is inviolable and that the sanctity and dignity to live such life without being unduly cut short remains the chief duties of the government.
“We posit therefore that if proactive steps are deliberately taken by the Ondo State Government, like a stitch in time that saves nine, these banditries and kidnappings can be completely eradicated before they grow to become hydra-headed,” the PDP said.
It expressed confidence in the capacity of security personnel in Ondo State to combat insecurity in the state.
“Assuming without conceding that the N1.2b monthly security vote belongs solely and entirely to the Governor and his family, would it not be godly of a public-spirited leader to exhibit affection, compassion, empathy and sympathy towards the people he claims to be governing and thus, make available, without any prompting, the monthly security vote in the overall security interest of the populace? After all, the said monthly security vote is removed from the same taxpayers’ treasury,” the opposition party said.
“Our Party challenges Governor Aiyedatiwa to make public the expenditure of the huge security votes that are being withdrawn monthly for no justifiable reason other than being an entitlement of the governor,” Igbabo said.
Responding to the call, Governor Aiyedatiwa descibed the call as irresponsible, noting that although there were pockets of incidents, security has improved in the state.
“It is irresponsible for the PDP to say security is worsening in Ondo State. Yes, there may be pockets of incidents, but the general outlook of our security has improved in the last two months,” Aiyedatiwa said.
Reacting, through his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Govenor said the Amotekun has just few days ago arrested suspected kidnappers, same as the police and even local hunters, especially in Owo.
According to Adeniyan, “There is a joint patrol funded by the government that is working day and night and more security posts have been created in flash points. Forest guards are now being recruited. These are what the security vote is meant for. Security vote is not a personal money that can be donated somewhere.
“Those who are ignorant of how the government works should stop raising unnecessary issues to gain attention.
“Let the party mention one PDP State in Nigeria where there are no security challenges. The PDP in Ondo State should stop politicising security issues in their desperate bid to gain attention,” Adeniyan said.
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