By BISI OLADELE, Ibadan

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) has challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to name opposition leaders he claimed are sponsoring violence in the State.

Akintola gave the challenge while featuring on Southwest Political Circuit, an interview programme on Ibadan-based Fresh FM 1005.9 at the weekend.

Makinde has consistently blamed opposition leaders for pockets of violence in the State.

He said they were being orchestrated by opposition leaders to discredit his administration.

Despite repeated assurance of revealing identity of the said opposition leaders, Makinde is yet to make good his promise.

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.” (The Nation)

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