The executive chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, has cautioned the federal lawmaker representing the constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Tolulope Sadipe, against playing politics with security issues, particularly the sensitive matters of herders and farmers.
Asiwaju Olatunji issued the word of caution in response to Sadipe’s recent comments on security situation in Ogunmakin area of Oluyole local government, which he described as “capable of creating ethnic tension and frustrating efforts of security agencies” in the area.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 11 shortly after an expanded Security Council meeting held at his LG Secretariat Office at Idi-Ayunre with heads of security agencies, community leaders, representatives of farmers and herders in the area as well as other key security stakeholders, Olatunji disclosed that the video the lawmaker was reacting to was recorded in 2023 and the issue has since been resolved.
The meeting reviewed recent security developments and reinforced strategies to address emerging threats. Security agencies in attendance, including the police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Immigration, DSS, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilante, reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the area and urged residents to remain vigilant.
While addressing the issue of farmers herders clash, the Olatunji noted that nobody should overstretch the patience of the people of the council area hinting that Oluyole LG would not hesitate to activate all necessary anti open grazing laws of the state to apprehend and prosecute anybody found violating it as the rule of law which is already in full effect in the state would take its full course on anybody culpable of openly grazing with their cattle.
Olatunji further assured the public that security challenges were being tackled proactively and urged residents and citizens to report suspicious activities rather than spread panic or false narratives to suit certain political interests at the detrimental of the people.
Lamenting what was described as mischievous and malicious politicking, Olatunji said proponents of ‘dirty’ politics in the state and their sponsors recently recycled a similar old video footage of Soka saga before the state Police command nipped the situation in the bud.
Speaking further, Olatunji accused Hon. Sadipe of paying lip service to the well-being of the people she represents at the green chamber of the National Assembly, stressing that the lawmaker has long been out of touch with realities at the grassroots. He maintained that Sadipe has not returned to Oluyole federal constituency since returning to Abuja after 2023 election and therefore, could not have a grasp of the security transformation and the realities of public peace that have characterized the area.
As the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area, Olatunji berated Sadipe for failing to provide the expected representation for the people of Oluyole at the national Assembly. He explained that the lawmaker has neither reached out to him on any of such or similarly sensitive issue nor any of the head of security agencies in Oluyole, or concerned farmers and herders in the area to enable her have a first hand information before going public with what he labelled ‘an outsourced’ information from secondary and unsubstantiated sources.
According to Olatunji, security matters should not be turned into political tools to score points, as doing so could have dangerous consequences for the peace and stability of the community. He maintained that his administration in Oluyole has fully keyed into the visionary leadership of governor Seyi Makinde on security matters, and as such, has made security matters a top priority since inception of his government.
He equally emphasized that spreading unverified information or making inflammatory statements could heighten tension unnecessarily. He called on all political actors in the federal constituency to prioritize the safety and stability of Oluyole rather than seek political advantage through fear-mongering.
“We must avoid sensationalizing security issues for political gain. Security is a collective responsibility, and it requires cooperation, not unnecessary alarm. Our administration remains committed to working with security agencies, community leaders, and residents to ensure safety across Oluyole Local Government,”
“It is highly regrettable and reckless for anyone, especially a lawmaker, to make statements that could worsen the security situation in Oluyole based on second or third hand information that could not be substantiated.
“It will interest her to know that we have been working tirelessly with the security council and other security agencies in Oluyole local government, community leaders, as well as all critical stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders. Playing politics with this issue is totally unacceptable to us,” Asiwaju Olatunji stated.
While calling for cohesive approach to security matters, he emphasized that security challenges should be addressed with sincerity and collective responsibility rather than being used for personal or political gains, while reiterating the commitment of the local government to deepening communication and dialogue between all affected parties to prevent any conflicts.
“I urge our people to disregard any attempt to create unnecessary panic or fear through false alarm. We must remain united and work together regardless of political affiliations to sustain the peace we have been striving to maintain in Oluyole,” Asiwaju Olatunji added.
Hon. Olatunji called on political leaders and stakeholders to support constructive solutions instead of making inflammatory remarks capable of creating avoidable ethnic tension. He assured residents that the local government would continue collaborating with security agencies to protect lives and property while ensuring a harmonious relationship between farmers and herders.
Earlier, the security council reviewed the current security situation in Oluyole and reaffirmed its commitment to continuous engagement with stakeholders while promising to implement additional security measures where necessary. The security Council further called for unity and cooperation among all stakeholders in addressing security concerns in the local government.
Representatives of farmers and herders and traditional leaders present, in their separate submissions agreed to deepen collaboration and work more closely in ensuring that illegal immigrants did not infiltrate them to perpetrate crime as Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, and other ethnicities have lived together in peace and harmony in Oluyole local government.
Residents of Oluyole were urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes rather than resorting to self help which they said is against the law and could be counterproductive in ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for meaningful development to take place.