The Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has charged Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) to direct all security concerns to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the National Security Adviser.
Oghenesivbe, stated this response to accusations from the APC alleging Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's negligence in addressing minor security breaches within the state in recent time.
He berated the APC for ignoring the federal government's failures in securing the country, despite significant funds allocated to national security since the APC took power in 2015. He emphasized that state governors, including Governor Oborevwori, do not command the Armed Forces or any federal security agencies, which operate under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Oghenesivbe noted that governors can only support federal security efforts within their states by providing logistical aid, when necessary, but they lack the constitutional authority to manage or discipline these agencies. Dr. Latimore underscored that the federal government is solely responsible for national security, as outlined in Nigeria's Constitution.
The DG reminded the APC that the current President, Bola Tinubu, is accountable for directing national security efforts. He highlighted Delta State’s relatively peaceful status, attributing it to Governor Oborevwori's effective governance, which has led to a growing economy and significant youth employment through various empowerment programs.
Dr. Latimore called on the APC to focus on the pressing issues of inflation and economic hardship, driven by the devaluation of the Naira. He urged the party to collaborate with the President to address these economic challenges, including reversing the spike in fuel prices and restoring the Naira's value.
He dismissed the APC’s security allegations as baseless, asserting that Delta State remains one of the safest in the country, despite isolated incidents of crime. He reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to job creation and infrastructure development across Delta's 25 local government areas, which continues to contribute to the state’s overall peace and security.
According to him: "APC Delta and her image maker cannot be serious, and should never be taken seriously under any circumstances. It's laughable for their him to say that national security has been assigned to state governors in Nigeria.
"By national security as entrenched in the constitution, it connotes the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and Delta is among the 36 states.
"Governors as Chief Security Officers of their respective states is without portfolio. They cannot control the operations of either the Armed Forces, the Police or the DSS. The state commands report directly to either their Zonal Superiors or directly to their headquarters in Abuja.
"The state governors do not fund the operations of the Armed Forces, the Police or DSS. Their operational funds are captured in the federal budget, not in the state budget. What governors have been doing is to provide Palliative measures where the federal government fail in their responsibility.
"Delta APC image laundering secretary should do a simple research on how the armed forces and the police are funded to deliver on their constitutionally assigned responsibilities, either by protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria, or effective policing for the attainment of national security.
"APC national government practically ruined our nation's economy, deliberately projected hardship and poverty through anti people economic policies, coupled with gross mismanagement of the robust economy it inherited from President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan on May 29, 2015. Nigeria has obviously become a laughing stock at the global stage in the past nine years and counting.
"Delta is safe and secured, minor security breaches notwithstanding. No country in the world is entirely without security breaches, not America, not the United Kingdom and not in the European countries.
"There are deviants and criminal elements in every society, in all states in Nigeria, and Delta is not an exception. Abuja, the seat of power is also harbouring criminals. The FCT minister is still battling with acute insecurity, and the end is not in sight. FCT is controlled by Mr President, who doubles as the FCT Governor.
"Governor Oborevwori is doing very well in all sectors of the state economy, and his good governance strides contributed immensely to the peace we are truly enjoying today and always, in Delta State.
"The meaningful development embarked upon by the governor has created thousands of jobs
for our teeming youths, skilled and unskilled, as well as professionals and women across diverse fields of specialization.
"I urge the good people of Delta State, and indeed, Nigerians, to disregard the baseless and unfounded insecurity allegation raised by the image laundering Secretary of Delta APC.
"Governor Oborevwori will continue to do the needful to spread infrastructure and socioeconomic development across the 25 local government areas in the state.
"Additional thousands of jobs will soon be created through the State Bureau for job and wealth creation that would profitably engage our people," Oghenesivbe assured.
