On Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent remarks on insecurity in the state and called on him to step down from office, arguing that he should not distance himself from responsibility for protecting residents.
The opposition party reacted to comments made by Makinde during a political gathering in Ibadan, where he reportedly spoke about the challenges of addressing insecurity and pointed to the limited control state governors have over security agencies. The governor had also renewed his support for the creation of state police following the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC rejected the governor’s position and insisted that he remains responsible for the safety of residents despite existing constitutional arrangements. The party argued that governors are elected with the duty of protecting lives and property and should not transfer blame when security challenges arise.
The APC said Makinde had exercised the powers of his office without objections in other areas of governance and should therefore not claim limitations only when faced with security concerns. According to the party, his comments reflected a failure to provide the leadership expected by the people of Oyo State.
The opposition party also linked the governor’s recent statements to his political ambitions beyond the state, claiming that he was using the insecurity situation to advance a broader political agenda. It maintained that the governor had not done enough to address growing security concerns across the state.
The APC further compared the current situation with previous administrations in Oyo State, arguing that former governors operated under the same constitutional framework but managed security challenges differently. The party pointed to past efforts such as security funding initiatives and collaboration with stakeholders as examples of measures that helped strengthen public safety.
As a result, the APC called on Makinde to apologise to residents and resign from office, suggesting that his deputy should complete the remaining period of the administration. The party said Oyo people deserve leadership capable of responding effectively to challenges facing the state.
The exchange comes amid growing concern over insecurity in parts of Oyo State, particularly following recent incidents involving kidnappings and attacks that have renewed discussions on the need for broader security reforms and the proposed establishment of state police across the country.