Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Seyi Makinde, has lamented that state governors are routinely blamed for insecurity despite lacking constitutional authority to direct security agencies operating in their states.
Makinde made the remarks during a visit to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Friday alongside APM National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle.
The meeting was held behind closed doors, after which the leaders told journalists that discussions centered on security, governance and political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding to questions on insecurity in Oyo State, Makinde said governors bear the burden of accountability for security failures without having the powers needed to tackle them effectively.
“When the Chibok incident happened, President Jonathan was blamed. People all over the world demanded that President Jonathan bring back the girls. But when incidents happen in a state today, it is the governor and the state government that are blamed, even though governors do not have the authority to direct security agencies,” he said.
The governor argued that Nigeria’s security architecture requires urgent reform to align responsibility with authority.
“We need to review our security architecture and ensure that whenever responsibility is assigned, the authority to discharge that responsibility is also given. That is exactly what we will do if the people of Nigeria place their trust in the APM,” he added.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Mohammed said the talks also focused on strengthening a credible and constructive opposition capable of providing alternatives to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle expressed confidence in the party’s prospects in the next general election. He criticized the reported repatriation of Nigerians from South Africa and what he described as the Federal Government’s inadequate response to the situation.
Dantalle also faulted recent controversies surrounding proceedings at the National Assembly and the handling of the national budget.
“It is very shameful that Nigerians are being chased out of countries like South Africa, a country whose struggle for independence Nigeria supported, while our government appears unconcerned. It is embarrassing.
“It is also unfortunate that in the National Assembly, some people are allowed to speak while others are prevented from doing so. We all saw what happened in the House of Representatives this week. Nobody will save Nigeria unless we choose to save it ourselves,” he said.
The party leaders said they would continue consultations across the country in the months ahead as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has welcomed the release of the schoolchildren and teachers who were kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, describing it as a ‘big relief’.
Fifty-seven days after terrorists abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Oyo State, the Presidency on Friday announced that all the victims had been rescued in a coordinated security operation.
“It’s such a big relief for all of us and for those that are waiting, you know, for this past 57 days,” Makinde told Channels Television on Friday.
“I think it’s a big relief for all of us, and we’ll use the opportunity to say thank you to our service commanders, the Nigeria Police, the DSS, the military, and the high command, and of course the President, for pushing really hard to have this done.
“I think I’m just right now overjoyed, and I cannot really say much. I will talk much later when I can put my thoughts together,” he added.
