*My Govt’ll Study Oriire Kidnap Panel Report, Says Gov
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has described Oyo State governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as clueless and a total embarrassment to the people of the state, saying “for failing to address hunger in Oyo State, despite increased funds from the federation account, Makinde has shown that he is more than clueless.”
The organisation, in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, said Gov. Makinde’s admittance of more money from the federation account to Oyo State was a confirmation of the success of the economic reform policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Bola Tinubu.
Makinde had admitted in Lafia, Nasarawa State on Monday, that Oyo State now receives more money from the federation account, but added that he had not been able to reduce hunger in the state.
The campaign organisation, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said Makinde’s statement, “though a function of his level of intellectual capacity,” was a sad and clear reality of what Oyo State had been going through in terms of purposeful governance in the last seven years.
“If through the ingenuity and purposeful leadership of President Tinubu, Oyo State allocation from the federation account has increased tremendously, should it also be the duty of the President to ensure judicious use of the money?
“If you have acknowledged that monthly, you have been getting more money from the federation account, who are you expecting to come and help you to fight hunger in your state? Is it President Tinubu?
“Most importantly, this same Governor Makinde has deliberately refused to allow local governments in Oyo State to function. He has criminally been everywhere, opposing local government autonomy, so as to continue to spend both the state and local council funds.
“Therefore, for the people of Oyo State, waiting a day longer to stop the extension of Makinde’s cluelessness beyond 2027 is what must not be allowed to happen and on February 6, 2027, the governor and the man through whom he desires to extend his clueless government will be rejected by the people,” the statement read.
My Govt’ll Study Oriire Kidnap Panel Report, Says Makinde
Meanwhile, Gov. Makinde, has assured the public that his administration will thoroughly examine the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the abduction of students and teachers at Oriire Community in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the state.
He emphasised that confidentiality would not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.
Governor Makinde gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the commission’s report from its Chairman, Hon. Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade (rtd), at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor noted that the Oriire attack tested the security architecture his administration had built over the years.
“When we came into office, the 615 toll-free number had been approved, but was not yet operational. The City Watch and Security Control Room infrastructure had also been initiated, although parts of the system were not functioning as they should.
“We operationalised the 615, refurbished and expanded the Control Room, expanded its coverage, and connected the Police, Amotekun, Operation Burst, and other relevant services through a communication system that helped them coordinate a response.
“Some people will say that under this administration, we brought down the crime rate. But Oriire is part of the record.
“No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection,” he said.
Makinde praised those involved in the Oriire victims’ rescue operation, saying: “We can never diminish the effort of those who contributed — the Operational Coordination Centre, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services, and other federal agencies.
“I must also thank the DG DSS and the State Directors of Security in Oyo and Lagos states who relocated to Oyo during this period.”
He emphasized that rescue alone was not enough.
“Rescue cannot be the only measure of success. We must ask: What could have prevented the attack? What could have shortened the ordeal? What will make children safer in their schools?”
Linking the lessons to his national advocacy, the governor said, “this is why, at the national level, I have discussed a security reset for Nigeria. We must have distinct systems. The reason we could ask the commission to see where there may have been failure is because we have a system — so, we can point to where it broke. Nigeria must also have a working system.
“This commission’s report will lead to decisions, assigning responsibilities, and progress that the public can follow. Our children’s safety must be the test of what changes.”
The governor explained why the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established.
“We established this Judicial Commission of Inquiry to examine how the attack occurred, what information was available, how institutions responded, whether there were intelligence, administrative, or operational failures, and what must change to prevent another such tragedy,” he explained.
The governor expressed deep appreciation to the commission, saying “let me specially, from the bottom of my heart, thank the chairperson and members of the commission for undertaking this difficult assignment. When it was set up, it was in a politically charged atmosphere.
“But you took on the assignment and saw it through to a logical conclusion. I say thank you on behalf of myself, the government, and the people of Oyo State.”
Presenting the report, Justice Owoade thanked the governor for entrusting the commission with the assignment.
He said: “We visited the scenes of the crime, inspected the affected schools, and went through the bushes to have first-hand knowledge of what actually happened on that fateful day.
“We held public hearings in Ikoyi Ile, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan. On the whole, we took 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, individuals, experts, and other stakeholders.
“We produced a report aimed at strengthening preventive security measures for the future through improved intelligence gathering and necessary cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.”
Justice Owoade explained that the commission made recommendations for Oyo State Government, local governments, joint Federal–state action, and the Federal Government alone.
Highlighting a major recommendation, he said, “Of particular significance is our opinion that there is a need to review the laws and management of forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which belongs to the Federal Government. This is essential for maintaining security.”
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima (represented by Hon. Justice O. M. Olagunju); Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Biodun Aikomo; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Others were Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Executive Adviser on Security Coordination, Major Gen. Lukman Omoniyi (rtd) and Executive Assistant on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd).
There were also Special Adviser on Immigration and Homeland Security, ACG Segun Adegoke (rtd); Commandant, Amotekun Corps, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd); Senior Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede; Oyo State APM Chairman, Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi; Chief Bayo Oyero; former CMD, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge; service commanders; religious leaders; and members of the commission.
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R :Gov. Makinde & Alli.
