Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the establishment of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture and tackle rising criminality across the country. Makinde made the call during the governorship and legislative primary elections of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), held at the Watershed Event Centre, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
The governor urged the Federal Government to support state houses of assembly in accelerating the legislative process required for the creation of state police, stressing that decentralised policing would enhance local intelligence gathering and improve rapid response to security threats. According to him, state police would enable governors, as chief security officers of their states, to coordinate security operations more effectively within their jurisdictions.
Makinde also reassured families of the abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State that efforts were ongoing to secure their safe return. He maintained that security had remained one of the major pillars of his administration since inception and would continue to receive priority attention.
The governor appreciated residents of the state for their support for his administration over the last seven years, noting that their cooperation contributed significantly to the achievements recorded under the Omituntun agenda. Makinde subsequently rallied support for the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, urging residents to vote massively for him in the 2027 governorship election. He charged Adekanmbi to provide purposeful leadership driven by vision, unity and service to the people, rather than bitterness and division.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement, Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi, expressed optimism that the alliance between the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM would produce positive political outcomes for both Oyo State and the country. At the event, Hon. Adekanmbi, alongside senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates, was presented before party members and stakeholders, who ratified them as consensus candidates. Presenting certificates of return to the candidates, Fagbemi described Adekanmbi as a bridge builder capable of sustaining the developmental strides initiated by Governor Makinde.
In his acceptance speech, Adekanmbi pledged continuity of the Omituntun development agenda, assuring residents that his administration would prioritise security, infrastructure development and inclusive governance. He called for unity among party leaders, stakeholders and supporters, stressing that the future of Oyo State should supersede personal ambitions and political interests. Adekanmbi also appreciated Governor Makinde for his support, political partnership and contributions to the development of the state, noting that his legacy would remain significant in Oyo's democratic history.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; and other party leaders, commissioners, lawmakers and local government chairmen.
