Oyo APC Presses Makinde For Answers After Fresh Kidnap Incident

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to explain the measures his administration is taking to secure the release of three staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) who were reportedly abducted last Friday.

The party expressed concern over the incident, which reportedly occurred within the institute’s premises, and demanded details of the ongoing efforts to rescue the victims and prevent further kidnappings in the state.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, the APC questioned the circumstances surrounding the abduction and urged the state government to provide residents with information about the steps being taken to address the security situation.

Sadare said the public deserved to know what was being done to secure the victims’ freedom and tackle the growing concerns over insecurity in Oyo State.

The party also called for measures that would prevent similar incidents from recurring, stressing the need for a sustained response to kidnapping and other security threats.

Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has disclosed details of discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu concerning the appointment of Bayo Adelabu as a minister.

Speaking during a media chat on Fresh FM on Sunday, Makinde said Tinubu had initially asked him to recommend a development economist for the position of Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.

The governor said he subsequently nominated Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance under the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Makinde explained that he recommended Adekanmbi because of his contributions to the state’s financial management during the previous administration.

However, according to the governor, Tinubu later informed him that he had decided to appoint Adelabu, who contested the Oyo State governorship election in 2019.

Makinde said the President asked him to present Adelabu’s appointment as his preferred choice, but he declined, explaining that the decision to appoint the former governorship candidate had already been made.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the two developments have brought renewed attention to the security challenges facing Oyo State and the political discussions surrounding ministerial appointments at the federal level.