A former President of the Nigeria and Africa Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has strongly criticised the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urging him to stop using constitutional limitations as an excuse for the escalating Oyo State kidnapping crisis.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Mr Ogundipe argued that whilst operational control of the police and security agencies remains vested in the Federal Government, governors cannot use constitutional constraints as a “perpetual alibi for governance failures.”
The critique follows recent public comments by Governor Makinde, who expressed helplessness over the security situation, citing Nigeria’s centralised security architecture.
Oyo State Kidnapping Crisis: Contradictions in security spending and executive authority
Mr Ogundipe highlighted the apparent contradiction in the governor’s stance, pointing out that regional executives wield considerable authority over security budgets and logistics.
“Governor Makinde cannot, on the one hand, exercise extensive authority over security spending, deploy billions of naira in security votes, procure surveillance aircraft, provide vehicles and logistics to security agencies… and fund numerous security initiatives, only to turn around and claim helplessness when insecurity escalates,” Mr Ogundipe said.
He added: “If his hands were not tied in the procurement of surveillance aircraft, security gadgets, patrol vehicles, intelligence infrastructure, and other security interventions, it becomes difficult to persuade citizens that those same hands are now completely tied when it comes to securing lives and property.”
Regional crisis deepens as abductions rise in Oyo, Ekiti, and Kwara
The security crisis is not isolated to Oyo State. According to data highlighted in the statement, more than 30 children and other citizens have been abducted in Oyo State alone. Similar crises are unfolding in neighbouring regions, with approximately 15 people reportedly kidnapped in Ekiti State under Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and another 15 abducted in Kwara State under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Mr Ogundipe noted that the victims of these incidents are predominantly ordinary citizens, including the children of peasant farmers, artisans, and traders, for whom “discussions about constitutional constraints offer little comfort.”
Former journalists’ union leader demands results over rhetoric
The statement also questioned the political commitment of state governors toward genuine structural reform. Mr Ogundipe accused regional leaders of failing to vigorously champion state police and constitutional amendments when national debates on the matters peaked. Furthermore, he noted an inconsistency in governors demanding the devolution of power from the federal government whilst simultaneously resisting local government autonomy within their own states.
Calls for transparency over ‘security votes’ and surveillance assets
With local economies suffering as farmers abandon land and businesses face increased vulnerability, the veteran journalist called for immediate accountability regarding security expenditure.
He urged Governor Makinde to provide a comprehensive account of how security votes, surveillance assets, and intelligence initiatives have been deployed to combat the crisis.
“The citizens of Oyo State are not interested in a contest of excuses between constitutional provisions and political office holders,” Mr Ogundipe said. “At moments such as this, what is required is not lamentation, but leadership.”
