Author: The Nation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has criticised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over his handling of the state’s Amotekun Corps, accusing him of ignoring persistent welfare complaints from operatives while publicly backing the leadership of the security outfit.

In a statement on Tuesday, the party’s director of media and public communications, Wándé Àjàyí, said the recent commissioning of the Amotekun Command headquarters and the announcement of fresh recruitment were being used to mask what he termed the “disturbing reality” confronting serving officers.

But in a swift response, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the PDP’s allegations as “misguided” and an attempt to politicise matters of state security.

The APC said Aiyedatiwa’s foremost responsibility is the protection of lives and property in Ondo State, adding that his support for the Amotekun leadership is driven by the need to maintain stability and enhance operational efficiency amid evolving security threats nationwide.

However, the PDP alleged that Amotekun personnel across the state have repeatedly raised concerns over unpaid salaries, lack of appointment letters, poor welfare, stalled promotions, and the absence of job security.

It noted that some operatives had petitioned the government over unpaid allowances and alleged arbitrary redeployments without receiving any meaningful response.

The statement further cited investigative reports that purportedly exposed irregularities in the agency’s payroll system, including claims that the refusal to issue appointment letters had created a compromised structure capable of accommodating ghost workers.

According to the PDP, petitions from officers in all three senatorial districts have been submitted to the government but remain unaddressed.

The opposition party further accused Aiyedatiwa of overlooking the grievances while offering what it described as “unwavering public backing” to the Amotekun Corps Commandant – a posture it said undermines morale and shields alleged administrative misconduct.

The PDP also berated the governor’s announcement of plans to recruit 500 new operatives, describing it as politically motivated and insensitive to the plight of current officers.

Expanding the corps, the party argued, without resolving existing welfare and structural issues, would deepen the crisis within the agency.

To restore confidence, the PDP urged the governor to clear all outstanding salaries and allowances owed to operatives, issue proper appointment letters, address all pending petitions, and ensure transparent promotion and posting procedures.

It also demanded a comprehensive audit of the Amotekun payroll before any recruitment exercise begins.

“Security must be based on integrity, fairness, and transparency. A government that neglects the welfare of security workers while defending those at the top cannot claim to be committed to public safety,” the PDP said in the copy of the statement.

The APC, in a statement released by his spokesman, Steve Otaloro, highlighted the recent commissioning of a modern Command and Control Centre, a state-of-the-art training auditorium, and the ongoing recruitment of the fifth batch of Amotekun operatives as “bold and proactive steps” aimed at strengthening the state’s security architecture.

“At a time when communities across Nigeria are grappling with rising security challenges, Ondo State cannot afford to slow down or play politics with the safety of its people,” it said.

The governing party insisted that the Aiyedatiwa administration has not ignored welfare issues, saying matters relating to salaries, documentation, and structural adjustments are already being addressed “systematically and transparently” without fanfare or political theatrics.

“What the PDP calls ‘shielding’ is merely the governor refusing to politicise internal administrative processes. Welfare reforms are ongoing, and the government remains committed to ensuring that every legitimate officer receives what is due in line with established procedures and available resources,” it said.

The APC argued that expanding the corps while addressing internal issues aligns with global security practices, adding that the PDP’s attempt to create a conflict between welfare and recruitment reflects a poor understanding of how security institutions operate.

“You do not weaken a security force because there are administrative issues. You strengthen it while resolving them,” the party stated.

The ruling party accused the PDP of attempting to destabilise the Amotekun Corps through politically motivated attacks and maintained that security should not be used as a partisan tool.

“The APC stands firmly with Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he continues to take decisive steps to secure the lives and property of the people. Security is a collective priority, not a political weapon,” the statement added.