Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he cannot solve Nigeria’s insecurity totally until he becomes president, saying governors in Nigeria do not have constitutional power over federal security agencies.
He made the statement while receiving the Allied People’s Movement (APM) Presidential Nomination for the 2027 general elections.
Makinde said that although he is the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State, governors are relatively incapacitated in times of crisis without the requisite authority such as command over the police.
He has been an advocate for the decentralization of national security and the establishment of state police.
His recent remarks are coming on the heels of a surge in kidnappings and abductions in the state including the recent kidnap of school children and teachers in Oriire local government.
He described the continued captivity of the abducted school children and other residents of Oyo State as ‘painful’.
“Today, innocent schoolchildren and citizens abducted by criminals are still in captivity in Oyo State,” he said.
He said the security system in Nigeria should be re-organised because the governors should not be held fully responsible for security without the power to act decisively.
Asked about the 2027 elections, Makinde said that if he were to be elected president, he would focus on security reform such as decentralisation of security management to give states more capacity to deal with local threats.
As President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by the grace of God, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that states are more not helpless in moments of crisis,” he said.
He said Nigeria needs a new way of governance and security, adding that leadership should be based on accountability, competence and action.
