The political temperature in Ondo State rose on Tuesday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on President Bola Tinubu to impose a state of emergency due to rising insecurity. The PDP accused the state government, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of failing to ensure the safety of citizens after a string of violent attacks that reportedly claimed over 50 lives.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Leye Igbagbo, the PDP noted that the governor had not lived up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. The party said that in the span of one month, dozens of people were killed in different areas of the state, and no suspects have been arrested or prosecuted.
According to the statement, “The Peoples Democratic Party, Ondo State chapter, is alarmed by the ceaseless killings of hapless residents of the state, whose main offence is that they lawfully engage in their daily activities needed to bring food to their tables.”
It also noted, “It is heart-wrenching to note that in less than one month, about 50 persons have been gruesomely massacred in various settlements within the state. Sadly, no arrest or prosecution has been made since then and neither was any arrest even made of the marauding armed herdsmen who were on killing spree in the past.”
The PDP urged President Tinubu to consider emergency measures if the situation does not improve, stating, “The kind attention of Mr President, under the prevailing circumstances, is to prepare him to consider the declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity in Ondo State.”
In response, the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected the PDP’s claims, calling them politically driven and not based on facts. Mr. Steve Otaloro, the APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, said the accusations were “fabrications conjured from the pit of political bitterness.”
He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration had been active in handling security challenges by improving the Amotekun Corps and encouraging community policing efforts across the state.
“The governor has been resolute in his commitment to bolster these efforts, ensuring that Ondo State remains a bastion of peace and security,” the APC said in its statement.
It also called on the PDP to play a more positive role in governance by offering solutions instead of spreading fear and division. “The role of an opposition party should be to provide thoughtful critique and contribute to solutions, rather than to fan the flames of panic and discord,” the statement noted.
