A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, has said that the bringing back of Mukaila Lamidi into the leadership of the transport union in Oyo State was unthinkable.
Auxilliary, as Lamidi is popular known, had been appointed by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, as chairman of the Park Management System Disciplinary Committee.
This, OYOINSIGHT.COM understands, came few months after serving his jail term.
The Nation quoted Akintola as recalling that he was the one who tendered guns against Auxilliary in court during the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi.
It would be recalled that the state has been embroiled in different security lapses since Makinde took over as the chief executive. Makinde, at different fora, has threatened to name those who are behind the security issues. Makinde had alleged that the pockets of violence were being orchestrated by opposition leaders to discredit his administration.
The Nation quoted Akintola as challenging Makinde, while featuring on Southwest Political Circuit, an interview programme on Ibadan-based Fresh FM 1005.9 at the weekend, to name opposition leaders he claimed are sponsoring violence in the State.
When asked about the chances of the APC in the 2023 governorship election, the legal icon said APC is better positioned to win more than ever because Makinde has demonstrated incapacity to move the state forward.
Though he acknowledged that the Governor has scored some good points, including taking sole ownership of LAUTECH, he said he has however failed in the areas of security and infrastructural development.
Confronted with the question Makinde has always insisted that opposition leaders were behind the violence in the State, Akintola said: “Let him name the opposition leaders sponsoring violence in Oyo. He has all the powers to apprehend them and bring them to book.
“The late Governor Ajimobi used the Terrorism Act to tackle violence. With the act, criminals are allowed to be tried in any part of Nigeria and they are not entitled to bail. It is stronger that criminal law.
“It was based on this problem of violence that Ibadan elites came together to support Ajimobi in 2010. The meeting was holding in Ikeja, Lagos.
“For somebody to bring back Auxiliary is unthinkable. I tendered the guns against him in court during Ajimobi days. The mark of leadership is the ability to say no. That’s why this government is unable to deal with violence.
“Our chances are very bright in 2003. It can’t be better. Insecurity is so high in Oyo State today.”
