Makinde pushes for speedy creation of state police amid rising insecurity

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the creation of state police across the country.

Makinde made the call on Thursday during the governorship and legislative primary elections of the Allied Peoples Movement held at the Watershed Event Centre along Old Ife Road, Ibadan, where Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi emerged as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

In his address, the governor urged the Federal Government to collaborate with state Houses of Assembly to accelerate the legislative process required for the establishment of state police, stressing that decentralised policing would improve intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to security threats at the grassroots level.

He also reassured residents of the state that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, noting that security had remained one of the top priorities of his administration since inception.

Makinde also appreciated the people of Oyo State for their support and cooperation over the past seven years, saying the achievements recorded by his administration would not have been possible without the backing of residents across the state.

The governor further appealed to the electorate to extend similar support to Adekanmbi and other candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement during the 2027 general elections. He also advised the governorship candidate to build strong political relationships and embrace leadership rooted in service, unity and vision rather than division.

Earlier, the Oyo State Chairman of the APM, Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi, said the alliance between the APM and the Peoples Democratic Party would yield positive results for Oyo State and Nigeria. He later presented certificates of return to Adekanmbi and other consensus candidates, describing the governorship candidate as a bridge builder capable of sustaining the developmental strides of the Makinde administration.

In his acceptance speech, Adekanmbi pledged to continue the Omituntun development agenda while prioritising the security and welfare of residents across the state. He also called for unity among party leaders and supporters, stressing that the future of Oyo State should take precedence over personal ambitions and political interests.