The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ondo State chapter, on Tuesday, lashed out at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for allegedly playing a publicity stunt with the operation of the Amotekun Corps in the state.
PDP, which frowned at the backing of Aiyedatiwa for the leadership of the Amotekun Corps and the move to recruit 500 new operatives, described as appalling the decision of the governor to allegedly turn a blind eye to the welfare concerns of existing personnel of the corps.
The Director of Media and Publicity of PDP in the state, Wande Ajayi, in a statement maintained that the action of the governor portrayed political publicity rather than a sincere effort to strengthen security in the state.
The governor, who recently approved the appointment of 500 operatives, had on Monday, during the inauguration of the corps command, control centre and training auditorium, disclosed that no amount of blackmail will make him relieve the commander of his appointment.
Ajayi stated that the governor ought to prioritise the welfare of existing operatives who have been complaining of unpaid salaries, absence of appointment letters, lack of welfare provisions, stagnation in promotions and denial of formal employment status before embarking on a new recruitment drive.
Some aggrieved personnel of the corps, in a petition filed by their legal counsel and human rights activist, Tope Temokun, lamented the state government’s failure to regularise their official engagement since their recruitment in 2020.
Ajayi, while stressing that security must be based on integrity, fairness and transparency, urged Aiyedatiwa to address the grievances of the personnel before embarking on the proposed recruitment.
He said, “Officers have protested that only the Corps Commander enjoys full statutory recognition, while hundreds of operatives who risk their lives daily are treated as casual hands without documentation or job security. Some officers also petitioned the government over unpaid allowances and arbitrary redeployments, despite years of committed service.
“The PDP considers this approach irresponsible and exploitative. Welfare must come before expansion. Accountability must come before endorsement. Leadership must respond to the cries of those in service, not turn a blind eye while celebrating infrastructure.
While reacting to the position of the PDP on the issue, the All Progressives Congress (APC) berated the opposition party for politicising the security situation in the state, emphasising that Aiyedatiwa’s support for the leadership of Amotekun is based on performance, operational results, and the ongoing need for stability within the security architecture.
“If the PDP believes that enhancing security capacity through additional recruitment in these trying times is a ‘lapse’, then it speaks poorly of their understanding of the realities confronting our nation. The Aiyedatiwa administration has never ignored the welfare concerns of Amotekun operatives. Issues regarding salaries, documentation, and structural adjustments are already being addressed systematically and transparently without noise, sensationalism, or political theatre.”