The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to rise to the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property amid increasing attacks by gunmen across the state.
The party, in a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday in Akure by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Leye Igbabo, expressed deep concern over what it described as the “ceaseless killings of hapless residents” who were only striving to earn their daily living.
“The party 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,” Igbabo said.
He condemned the continuous attacks and criticised Governor Aiyedatiwa for what he termed a gross dereliction of duty.
“Gov. Aiyedatiwa has indeed failed in his constitutional duty as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in that he can no longer secure and protect the lives and property of citizens of Ondo State,” the statement read.
The PDP noted that nearly 50 people have been “gruesomely massacred” in various parts of the state in less than a month, raising serious alarm about the safety of residents.
“It is heart-wrenching to note that in less than one month, about 50 persons have been gruesomely massacred in various settlements within the state,” Igbabo lamented.
The party also criticised the apparent lack of arrests and prosecutions following the series of attacks, describing the state government as seemingly absent and overwhelmed by the situation.
He added, “These killings are one too many and indicative of helplessness, hopelessness and huge compromise of those in the corridor of power in Ondo State.”
The PDP appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene, citing the inability of the state government to address the growing wave of violence.
Igbabo said, “The party had been wondering if a government still exists in the state in the face of what he described as unprovoked and unrestrained killings.”
He urged the federal government to take swift action to restore order and prevent further bloodshed in the state.
