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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) has challenged the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to name opposition leaders he claimed are sponsoring violence in the state.
Akintola issues the challenge while featuring on an interview programme, ‘South West Political Circuit’, on Ibadan-based Fresh 105.9FM at the weekend.
Makinde has consistently blamed opposition leaders over the pockets of violence in the state. He said the violence were being orchestrated by opposition leaders to discredit his administration. Despite repeated assurance of revealing the identity of the said opposition leaders, the governor is yet to make good his promise.
Reacting to the governor’s allegation, Akintola said: “Let him name the opposition leaders sponsoring violence in Oyo. He has all the powers to apprehend them and bring them to book.
“The late governor Ajimobi used the Terrorism Act to tackle violence. With the act, criminals are allowed to be tried in any part of Nigeria and they are not entitled to bail. It is stronger than criminal law.
“It was based on this problem of violence that Ibadan elites came together to support Ajimobi in 2010. The meeting was held in Ikeja, Lagos.
“PDP is known for violence. It is its trade mark. Violence is synonymous with PDP. People are comparing now. For somebody to bring back Auxiliary is unthinkable. I tendered the guns in court against him during Ajimobi days. The mark of leadership is the ability to say No. That’s why this government is unable to deal with violence.”
When asked about the chances of the APC in the 2023 governorship election, the legal icon said APC is better positioned to win more than ever because Makinde has demonstrated incapacity to move the state forward.
Though, he acknowledged that the governor has scored some good points including taking sole ownership of LAUTECH, he, however, said he has failed in the areas of security and infrastructural development.
“Our chances are very bright in 2003. It can’t be better. Insecurity is so high in Oyo State today,” the senior advocate said.