The Board of Trustees of Makinde-backed Peoples Democratic Party, led by Adolphus Wabara and members of the interim National Working Committee under Tanimu Turaki, on Monday, called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following the penultimate Friday’s abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after meeting behind closed doors with the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital, the interim NWC Chairman, Turaki. , said the visit was to commiserate with the State Government and the people of the state over the recent attacks.
Turaki said, “The leadership of PDP, including members of the NWC, the Interim National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees, are here to commiserate with the government and the people of Oyo over the unfortunate incidents that recently occurred in Oriire Local Government and some parts of Ibadan.
“We believe the issue of security is fundamental and must be taken very seriously. We are aware of the efforts His Excellency has consistently made to ensure the safety of the people of Oyo and to protect lives and property across the state,” he said.
The PUNCH reports that many teachers and students were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, penultimate Friday, around 9:30 a.m.
Turaki, in Ibadan, on Monday, said the PDP recognised the efforts already made by Governor Makinde in tackling insecurity and protecting lives and property across the state.
He expressed concern that the attacks occurred despite what he described as a significant investment in security by the state government, especially as political activities began to intensify ahead of elections.
Turaki added, “Seeing incidents like these happen despite the enormous resources the governor has committed to security is deeply concerning, especially as the election period approaches. We came to encourage and strengthen him, as well as reassure the people of Oyo that this difficult moment shall pass by the grace of God,” he stated.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently reform the country’s security structure, describing the current arrangement as ineffective.
Turaki, therefore, admonished the residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies in addressing insecurity.
“More than ever at this critical time, every Nigerian must remain security conscious. We must pay attention to our surroundings, remain vigilant, and promptly alert the authorities whenever necessary. Security should also involve communal effort. By the grace of God, we have listened to what His Excellency has said publicly and also during our discussions with him.
“We are confident that the measures he has already begun implementing will ensure that this kind of ugly incident does not happen again in the state. Our message to the Federal Government is that Nigeria’s security architecture urgently needs to be overhauled. This has become long overdue.”
He argued that state governors should be given more control over security operations in their respective states to improve response time and efficiency.
“It is contradictory for a governor to be referred to as the Chief Security Officer of a state while having no direct control over the security agencies operating within that state.
“You cannot imagine a situation where a governor convenes a Security Council meeting, decisions are taken, and yet the Commissioner of Police or military commanders must still seek clearance from Abuja before acting. By the time approvals are obtained, significant damage may already have been done,” he stressed.
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