Oyo State Governor and African People’s Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has attributed the difficulty in tackling insecurity and kidnappings in the state to constitutional limitations that place security agencies under the control of the Federal Government.
Speaking in Ibadan on Saturday while accepting his party’s presidential nomination, Makinde expressed concern over the continued abduction of schoolchildren and other residents in Oyo State, saying the situation highlights the challenges governors face despite being designated as Chief Security Officers of their states.
According to him, governors are often held accountable for security issues without having direct authority over the agencies responsible for maintaining law and order. He argued that the current arrangement weakens the ability of state governments to respond effectively to security threats and emergencies.
Makinde stressed that meaningful constitutional reforms are necessary to address the problem, pledging that if elected president, he would pursue changes aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s security framework and granting states greater control in managing security within their territories.
He stated that decentralising the nation’s security system would be a major priority of his administration, adding that protecting lives and property should remain a fundamental national duty rather than a political talking point.
The governor also noted that his presidential nomination came at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic and security challenges. He said the worsening situation across the country has transformed what should have been a celebratory moment into an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of the nation.
Makinde lamented that millions of citizens are struggling with rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, poor transportation conditions, and uncertainty about the future. He added that many Nigerians have become frustrated with governance and are demanding leadership capable of delivering real improvements in their daily lives.
According to him, citizens across the country are increasingly asking when governance will begin to work for ordinary people and when the promise of a better Nigeria will become a reality.
Responding to these concerns, the governor argued that the country can no longer rely on policies and strategies that have failed to produce meaningful progress. He called for a fresh approach to governance built on competence, accountability, courage, and compassion, insisting that Nigeria requires a complete reset to achieve sustainable development and restore public confidence in leadership.