•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has lamented the constitutional limitations confronting state governors in tackling insecurity, saying they are saddled with responsibility for the safety of lives and property without the authority to directly command security agencies.
Makinde stated this on Saturday shortly after emerging as the consensus presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on the country’s security challenges, the governor expressed concern over the continued captivity of innocent citizens and schoolchildren in various parts of Nigeria, stressing that governors are often held accountable for security lapses despite lacking operational control over security institutions.
According to him, the current constitutional arrangement places a heavy burden on governors, who are designated as Chief Security Officers of their states but are not empowered to take decisive actions when security threats arise.
“Innocent citizens and schoolchildren are in captivity. As governor, I carry the burden of being the Chief Security Officer without the constitutional authority to command security agencies and confront these threats directly.
“No governor should be placed in a situation where responsibility is assigned but the necessary authority is withheld,” Makinde said.
The governor argued that public office holders should not be blamed for security failures when they lack the constitutional powers required to effectively address such challenges.
He called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture, noting that the existing framework has proved inadequate in addressing the country’s growing security concerns.
Makinde further pledged that, if elected president in 2027, his administration would pursue far-reaching constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening security coordination, enhancing intelligence gathering, and decentralising policing powers.
He said such reforms would improve the capacity of sub-national governments to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats while promoting greater accountability within the nation’s security system.
The Oyo State governor also reiterated his commitment to building a safer and more secure Nigeria through policies that empower all tiers of government to play meaningful roles in protecting lives and property.
Earlier, Makinde was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Alhaji Yusuf Dantali.
Presenting the certificate, Dantali described Makinde as a leader with the experience, vision, and capacity required to provide purposeful leadership for Nigeria.
He urged party members across the country to unite behind the party’s presidential candidate and intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the APM remains committed to offering Nigerians a credible political alternative capable of addressing the nation’s socio-economic and governance challenges.
In his acceptance speech, Makinde expressed gratitude to the party leadership and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across the country to advance the party’s vision and deliver meaningful change for Nigerians.
He assured party faithful that he would run an issue-based campaign focused on security, economic development, good governance, and national unity.