The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday said it is time for Nigeria to secure its people and restructure its system against the backdrop of growing insecurity in the country rather than seeking who occupies the number one office in 2023.
The governor who stated that some political leaders are already jostling around to become the president of Nigeria in 2023, said only time will tell on which one is more desirable for Nigeria between a restructured Nigeria and a Yoruba presidency.
Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, quoted Makinde to have spoken in Ibadan at the handover of 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorcycles to the Oyo State Security Agency, popularly known as Operation Amotekun.
Makinde said, “I have heard some of our political leaders jostling around and saying they want to become the president of Nigeria in 2023.
“I think what we need at this stage is to secure our people and restructure Nigeria. It does not matter who is the president in Abuja. In a restructured Nigeria, every corner of the country will feel the impact of government. That is what we need.
“May God protect those running around for presidency till 2022. By that time, we will meet and, by then, we will get to know whether it is restructured Nigeria or Yoruba presidency that we really need.”
Although Makinde never mentioned Tinubu in his statement, many political analysts believe the comments were targeted at Tinubu, who have been travelling around the country and hosting meetings in readiness for the 2023 presidency.
The governor equally expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the Amotekun Corps, saying the corps will play a major role in filling the lacuna in the security system.
He, however, maintained that despite the community policing initiative currently ongoing in the country, the states should still push for state police.
Makinde said that though Amotekun came into operation a while ago, the state has begun to feel its impact.
He said: “That is why we have been clamouring for state police because you know for a fact that you all belong to the state. We don’t have it right now, but we thank the Oyo State House of Assembly for making the law establishing Amotekun.
“If we cannot get state police now, this country will get there, I am sure. We have community policing, but we need to do better than that. But, in the absence of the state police, we have our own Amotekun Corps and the operatives are doing very well.
“I’ll like to say to the Amotekun Corps that I am really proud of you. When we came into government on May 29, 2019, there was no Amotekun Corps but, today, your impact is being felt by all of us.”
He promised that the state will make the welfare of the Amotekun Corps a top priority, saying: “You are a generation establishing structures for safety and security of the next generation.
“You are pioneers to ensure that we have a safe and secure environment so that we can expand our economy. And we will treat your welfare as top priority.”
