By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID), a socio-political support group of the Oyo State Government has said that Governor Seyi Makinde’s proactiveness averted an ethnic crisis in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Ayotomiwa Adebayo and made available to newsmen at the weekend in Ibadan.
Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora, which consists of Nigerian professionals from all walks of life in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany, Israel, Hungary, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dubai, among others, appealed to the good citizens of the state to have faith in the Makinde-led administration, saying it has the capability of restoring peace.
It also said that the Makinde administration’s approach was capable of proffering lasting solutions to security challenges which it said had existed before the assumption of the administration.
“Governor Makinde’s commitment as a doer to protect lives and property of the citizens in Oyo State cannot be faulted for good governance,” it said.
The group commended Makinde for his honesty, proactiveness and policies aimed at curbing security challenges in the state.
According to the group, “Makinde believes in the unity of the country and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians irrespective of their ethnicity, religion and political affiliation.”
It said that Makinde’s timely intervention as a compassionate leader, security manager and conflict resolution expert averted an ethnic crisis, and restored peace to the state.
“It is our right and collective duty as citizens to serve as the eyes and ears of security services in tackling insecurity in the state.
“The efforts of all security agencies in the state, including the newly launched South-West Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps have taken the harmonious security approach to prevent ethnic clashes.
“It has also improved the trust between the citizens and the law enforcement agencies to restore peace within the community,” he said.
It called on ethnic activists, political entrepreneurs and chauvinists sowing the seeds of discord to cause mayhem in Oyo State to desist as their actions can explode into ethnic crisis in Nigeria.
“We advised good citizens of Oyo State not to promote disruptive items, but carefully assess hate information seriously, particularly inciting information via social media.
“We have proven evidence that political charlatans who are state adversaries are attempting to use social media to cause chaotic and disrupt social order by all means for their selfish interest.
“It is worthy of note that tackling security challenges in the state is a collective obligation and should not be left in the hands of government alone.
“Rather all hands must be on deck by supporting Gov. Makinde’s administration in his efforts to fight insecurity to a standstill in the state,” it added.
The group admonished the good people of the state to be patriotic and show love to one another because love conquers everything.
“With your support, Governor Makinde will continue to deliver the unprecedented dividend of democracy which has already been witnessed in all nooks and crannies of the state.
“He is matching his words with actions by taking necessary steps when necessary to get rid of all the bandits and criminal elements in Oyo State.
“He cannot be blamed for the insecurity as being reported by political chauvinists,” the group said.
