The Honourable representing Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West/ Atiba federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, has described the decision to move the Police Squadron from Oyo to Ago-Are as an unfair one.
Skimeh, as the lawmaker is widely known, revealed this during an interview on Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM on Saturday.
He stated that the people of Oyo town felt cheated by the move because the application and entire process to ensure the squadron was located in Oyo town in Oyo State was made by the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola; himself; and some other prominent personalities from the town.
“When people like us championed this cause as an errand from the community, some other ardent citizens did follow-up. We have many Oyo indigene in Abuja that said they have seen what we have done.
“You can imagine that me using my influence as a representative, some other people are using their influence. Some are in the police, some are in the Civil service, some are Directors of Agencies, etc.
“So we were happy that Oyo town had been slated as the location for this squadron. We were awaiting the establishment just like any other community. We are not in argument with any town or city because everyone has a way of mobilizing.
“So, to our surprise, some few days ago, we discovered that this squadron has been established in Ago-Are. The question remains at what point was Ago-Are asking for this? If Ago-Are was asking for this, as the representative of Oyo town, we would have got to know that there is a kind of pampering and ganging up.
“People felt the Governor is supposed to be a father for all people in the state and Oyo people are not happy. They felt betrayed, cheated.”
Speaking on whether the fact that the squadron will know be located in Ago-Are, which is not so far from Oyo, will give the town the security cover it needed, he said, “Let me tell you, this is not the first time the Alaafin of Oyo will support a developmental programme in the city… but there is a difference between what belongs to me and what belongs to us.
“If the Alaafin approached the presidency requesting ( for the squadron), we never knew that this time will come that somebody, whoever it might be, will take this thing to another place.
“We are asking this thing for Oyo town to serve our people, to improve the security of Oyo town and by extension Oyo State and this was actually approved for Oyo town, at what point was it now transferred to Ago-Are,” he asked.
He also pointed fingers at the Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for moving the squadron from Oyo to Ago-Are noting that even while commissioning the project at Ago-Are, the Governor took responsibility for the decision.
He then appealed to Governor Makinde to, if possible, put in place a remedy because the people of Oyo are angry.
