The Presidency on Friday slammed Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor over his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the proposed implementation of state police.
The response came in a statement issued by Dada Olusegun, the President’s special adviser on social media following comments made by Governor Seyi Makinde during the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) primaries in Ibadan.
Makinde had accused the federal government of “wasting Nigerians’ time” over state police, insisting that states already have the constitutional backing to establish local policing structures through legislation.
The governor cited the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, as proof that regional security outfits could be created through laws passed by state Houses of Assembly.
“Before this government’s emergence, there was nothing like Amotekun in Oyo State. We wanted state police. It was because we couldn’t get the state police that we established Amotekun as a stopgap. They should stop wasting Nigerians’ time,” Makinde said.
He further stated, “The only state that didn’t create Amotekun is Lagos State, and we know it is because their boss didn’t want Amotekun.”
Reacting through a post on X, Olusegun accused the governor of attempting to shift attention from insecurity challenges in Oyo State.
“Gov. Seyi Makinde’s recent outburst accusing President Tinubu of ‘wasting time’ on State Police and claiming Lagos boycotted Amotekun for political points is just a masterclass in deflection,” he said.
The presidential aide described Makinde’s claim about Lagos and Amotekun as “entirely false,” insisting that President Bola Tinubu had always supported local security initiatives.
Olusegun also criticised the funding and operational capacity of Amotekun in Oyo State.
“While Lagos mobilizes billions for the welfare and resources of all security apparatus in Lagos state, Oyo sends brave Amotekun operatives into forests with pump-action rifles to fight AK-47-wielding syndicates. Press conferences don’t buy ballistic vests,” he said.
He questioned the governor’s capacity to manage a full-fledged state police system, arguing that such a structure would require significant funding, forensic facilities, armories, and pension frameworks.
According to him, “President Tinubu understands that constitutional security reform requires meticulous legality and rigid economic frameworks, not rushed politics to distract from local failures.”
Olusegun added that Makinde should focus on improving security in Oyo State before criticising the Federal Government.
“Before lecturing the architect of Nigeria’s most successful security funding model, Gov. Makinde owes the people of Oyo State a duty of care. Elevate Amotekun from a poorly funded political prop into a tactically superior force. Until then, the lectures remain hollow. Fix Oyo first!!!” he stated.
