Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration of lacking the seriousness required to tackle security issues in the state.
PDP made this allegation following the leaked security alert issued by the Department of State Services over planned coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo State by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terror group.
PDP alleged that security agencies in Ondo State have been demoralised due to what it described as the government’s attitude towards security matters.
The party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Wande Ajayi, in a statement, urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to convene an urgent security summit, mobilise resources, and rebuild confidence among security agencies, stressing that the state needed decisive leadership.
The PDP, which noted that Ondo was once a model of peace and vigilance in the South-West, lamented that the legacy is being squandered, stressing that previous administrations made efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and supported Amotekun.
PDP further maintained that the welfare concerns of Amotekun officers should be urgently addressed, with operatives of the corps properly integrated into the state civil service to ensure job security, improved funding, and motivation to perform optimally.
The statement added, “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.”
Meanwhile, Ondo State Government has called for calm among residents, describing the leaked memo as routine intelligence regularly shared among security agencies and the government in the state.
State’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, disclosed that the routine intelligence is used to assess security threats and take proactive measures.
