Tensions escalated between former Deputy Governor Hon. Agboola Ajayi and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State over the worsening security situation in the region.
Ajayi, now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s handling of the crisis, calling for urgent action to curb the surge in banditry and killings.
Ajayi, who was the PDP’s candidate in the last governorship election, accused Aiyedatiwa of failing to effectively address the security challenges in the state.
He urged the governor to immediately revamp the Amotekun Corps and reinstate Armed Forest Guards to combat the rising criminal activity in the state.
“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,” Ajayi stated in a statement.
“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.”
Ajayi also highlighted the failure of the APC government to prevent the crisis, stating that his administration during his tenure as Deputy Governor had successfully tackled banditry and criminality, including enforcing policies to end open grazing.
He expressed concern that the state’s security situation has worsened since his departure.
“The security challenge confronting Ondo State is not an entirely new development, but previous governments, including the one I was part of, adeptly managed the crisis. Unfortunately, the gains of that era have been allowed to slip away, and the people are now in pain!” Ajayi added.
In response, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, rebuked Ajayi for politicizing the issue of security. He criticized Ajayi’s comments as politically motivated, claiming they aimed to exploit the security situation for personal gain.
“It is essential to note that the issue of insecurity is not unique to Ondo State,” Otaloro said. “Mr. Ajayi’s assertions are politically motivated.
The current administration is committed to tackling these issues head-on, and efforts to enhance the security architecture, including strengthening the Amotekun Corps, are already underway.”
Otaloro emphasized that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration is taking a multi-faceted approach to combat insecurity, working alongside local security agencies and community leaders to restore peace.