The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of gross dereliction of duty over the rising wave of violent attacks and killings across the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo, the PDP expressed alarm over what it described as the “ceaseless killings of hapless residents” by suspected armed herdsmen and other criminal elements.
The party claimed that over 50 persons have been killed in various communities across the state in the last one month, without any corresponding arrests or prosecutions.
“The PDP cannot, in all honesty, find reasons why such assailants could operate without any form of resistance for months running, in a state where there is said to be a valid government in place,” the statement read.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the party accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of failing to fulfil his constitutional obligation of securing the lives and property of citizens. The PDP further alleged that the governor’s perceived inaction may be linked to political debts owed to influential figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC), who reportedly supported his emergence as the party’s gubernatorial candidate last year.
“We have reasons to believe that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s hands are tied and incapacitated because most of these mindless killings are allegedly being perpetrated by criminals from his benefactor’s geopolitical zone and ethnic group,” the statement said.
The PDP warned against politicizing security issues, describing the current situation as “horrible” and indicative of “helplessness, hopelessness, and huge compromise” within the corridors of power in Ondo State.
Calling for urgent federal intervention, the party appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take note of the worsening security situation and the alleged incapacity of the state government to restore order.
According to the statement, “Mr President, under the prevailing circumstances, should begin to consider the declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity in Ondo State if the killings continue unchecked.”
The PDP’s call comes amid growing concern from civil society groups and residents over repeated reports of violence in rural communities, with many urging the government to act decisively to stem the tide.
