The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, on Wednesday, stressed that the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration is lacking seriousness in tackling security issues in the state, particularly amid the leaked security alert on the possibility of attacks in some communities in the state.
According to the opposition party, security agencies have been demoralised due to what it described as the government’s attitude to the issue of security.
In a statement, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Wande T. Ajayi, urged the governor to endeavour to convene an urgent security summit, mobilise resources, and rebuild confidence among the security agencies, emphasising that the state needs decisive leadership.
While emphasising that the state was once a model of peace and vigilance in the Southwest, Ajayi lamented that the legacy is being squandered, stressing that previous administrations made efforts to strengthen interagency collaboration and supported Amotekun.
The publicity secretary further maintained that the welfare concerns of Amotekun officers should be urgently addressed, with the operatives of the corps properly integrated into the state civil service to ensure job security, improved funding, and motivation to perform optimally.
The statement reads in part, “The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State views with utmost concern the leaked security memo from the Department of State Services warning of a possible terrorist attack in parts of the state and the embarrassing attempt by the Aiyedatiwa-led government to trivialise such a grave security issue with a bland press statement.
“The once vibrant Amotekun Corps, a proud innovation that gave residents confidence in the protection of lives and property, has been reduced to a struggling outfit surviving on empty promises and token allowances.
“The officers who once stood tall as the first line of defence in our communities now battle poor welfare, inadequate logistics, and dwindling motivation because this government has chosen photo opportunities over purposeful leadership.
“The Peoples Democratic Party finds it deeply disturbing that while intelligence reports warn of potential terrorist activities around border communities, the governor’s idea of security management is limited to flying around in private jets to attend events and making hollow pronouncements.
“The neglect of Amotekun’s welfare, coupled with the near withdrawal of operational funding, has left our security network vulnerable. Ondo State cannot afford a government that plays politics with public safety or treats credible security alerts as media inconveniences.”
Meanwhile, the state government has called for calm among residents of the state, describing the leaked memo as routine intelligence regularly shared among security agencies and the government in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed that the routine intelligence is used to assess security threats and take proactive measures.
