Politics
Oyo APC accuses Makinde, PDP of plans to deploy Amotekun to steal votes
The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has claimed to have uncovered alleged plans by Governor Seyi Makinde and the People’s Democratic Party to use the state-owned security outfit known as Amotekun Corps to forcefully secure victory for the candidates of the PDP this Saturday when Nigerians are expected to go to the poll.
Amotekun Corps, which is the uniformed local security outfit established to combat kidnapping and other related criminal activities in the South West in 2020, is under the control of state governors as chief security officers of their respective states with absolute power to deploy its personnel for duty and assignment.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC regretted that “some anti-democratic forces could still be nursing plans to compromise the smooth conduct of election in the country when all hands ought to be on deck for the collective goal of strengthening the nation’s democracy.
“We have uncovered plots by the Oyo state government and the ruling PDP to use members of the state-owned local security outfit popularly known as Amotekun Corps to alter all arrangements for the proper conduct of presidential and national assembly elections coming up this Saturday to facilitate victory for their candidates.
“Parts of the evil plans are the deployment of men in Amotekun uniform to frustrate genuine voters, particularly in certain areas across all geopolitical zones including Ibadan- the state capital. Those behind the plot have also perfected plans to involve hoodlums to be drawn from the Park Management System under the leadership of Mukaila Lamidi ‘Auxiliary’ in the execution of their plans.
“The regular Amotekun guards and many motor park miscreants are to adorn the local security outfit uniform brand which is expected to present them as officials legalized to move around on the day of the election and thus use the opportunity to carry out some illegal activities capable of disrupting the conduct of the poll. For instance, the fake uniformed men would storm some communities in rural Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan city in the guise of searching for suspected kidnappers on the eve of the election and thereby create tension among residents who might decide to stay indoors on Saturday.
“While we would not disclose the details of the plots being packaged by the identified disgruntled elements, we wish to remind the general public that Amotekun Corps are not among the security agents allowed to either election or provide security anywhere close to polling booths or collation centers on the day of the election. Therefore, we call on the appropriate authorities to ensure that no member of the Amotekun or PMS (in uniform) is granted access to anywhere close to INEC officials and that voters conduct their legitimate business on the day of the election.
“The position of the nation’s Constitution as advanced by the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, as well as that of the Inspector General of Police has been made clear on the issue of Amotekun and the fact remains that only the officers and men of the security agencies owned and controlled by the federal government are authorized to carry out functions at designated polling booths, collation centers, and other INEC facilities during elections. Also, the idea of Amotekun Corps serving as security guards to PDP leaders and Chieftains shall not be allowed on the day of the election.” Sadare stated.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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