PDP Raises Alarm Over Unchecked Killings in Ondo, Demands State of Emergency on Insecurity

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sounded a stern alarm over what it described as the “ceaseless killings” and growing insecurity in Ondo State, urging the federal government to consider declaring a state of emergency if the situation continues to spiral out of control. This follows a wave of violent attacks that has left dozens of innocent residents dead, triggering panic and outrage across the state.

In a statement released by the party’s spokesman, Leye Igbabo, the PDP condemned the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for failing to fulfill his constitutional duty to secure lives and property, as stipulated under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“It is heart-wrenching to note that in less than one month, about 50 persons have been gruesomely massacred in various settlements within the State. Sadly, no arrest or prosecution has been made since then,” the statement read. The party specifically noted that armed herdsmen, suspected to be behind many of the attacks, have operated with brazen impunity without any form of deterrent from security forces or the state government.

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Ondo Insecurity Crisis: “Is There Still a Government?” — PDP Asks

The opposition party questioned whether a functional government still exists in Ondo State, given the frequency and intensity of the attacks. The PDP lamented that people going about their daily activities have become routine targets in what it called “unprovoked and unrestrained” violence.

The statement went further to allege that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s perceived silence and inaction might be politically motivated. According to the PDP, sources within the political ecosystem have hinted that the governor’s hands may be tied due to an “unholy alliance” he allegedly entered into with some powerful figures within the All Progressives Congress (APC) during his bid for the party’s gubernatorial ticket last year.

“We have reasons to believe that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s hands are tied and incapacitated because most of these mindless killings are allegedly being perpetrated by criminals from his benefactor’s geopolitical zone and ethnic group,” the statement alleged, suggesting a dangerous ethnic and political dimension to the security breakdown.

Call for Presidential Intervention

In a move that escalates the matter to the national level, the PDP is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly. The party appealed to the President to assess the deteriorating security condition in Ondo and consider imposing a state of emergency if the state government continues to “demonstrate a lack of capacity to halt the senseless killings.”

“The kind attention of Mr. President, under the prevailing circumstances, is to prepare him to consider the declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity in Ondo State,” the party said.

The PDP warned that if no urgent and decisive action is taken, the crisis in Ondo could spill over into neighboring states, turning the entire Southwest into a region marked by bloodshed and lawlessness.

Stop Playing Politics with Human Lives — PDP Tells Aiyedatiwa

Reiterating its concern over what it described as Governor Aiyedatiwa’s politicization of security matters, the PDP urged him to put aside personal and political allegiances and face the growing threat with urgency and courage.

“These killings are one too many and indicative of helplessness, hopelessness and huge compromise of those in the corridors of power in Ondo State,” the party stated. It admonished the governor to remember his oath to protect the lives and property of Ondo residents and act decisively before the situation becomes irreversible.

As Ondo continues to mourn its dead and live in fear, the ball now appears to be in the court of both the state and federal governments. For the opposition PDP, the message is clear: political silence in the face of human suffering is no longer acceptable.