The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has faulted the Federal Government’s withdrawal of soldiers (Operation Burst) from the State Government’s security outfit, describing it as a deliberate effort to allow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unleash thuggery on the state.

In a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC said that the soldiers’ withdrawal would sabotage the efforts of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in sustaining the peace in the state, alleging that some influential PDP members in the state were behind the Federal Government’s action.

According to the party, “The decision of the PDP-controlled Federal Government to order the military authority to withdraw their men from Operation Burst is, to say the least, a grand plan to pave way for the nefarious activities of thugs and criminally-minded persons in Oyo State.

“Without mincing words, we are worried that a government at the centre, which has failed to curtail insurgency in some parts of the country, can succumb to the pressure from its surrogates in one of the most peaceful states in the country to sabotage result-yielding security efforts by a government, which values the lives and property of its people.

“But for reasons traceable to their inherent failure in the business of governance coupled with a bid to win the 2015 elections at all costs, the PDP elements would not be comfortable with the newly found peace in the pacesetter state.

“With this development, they have further confirmed their culpability in the pocket of politically-motivated violence in some parts of Ibadan recently.

“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse the order and desist from further actions capable of exposing the people to insecurity, political violence and social unrest.

The party had however called on all residents of the state to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear.

•Photo shows Governor Ajimobi.