A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Dr Benson Enikuomehin, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to take a decisive step and address the problems of insecurity without any further delay.
This was as he called on the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to promote good governance in the state and ensure an improved welfare and quality of life of the people of the state.
Enikuomehin spoke during the 2025 end-of-the-year luncheon party of his Law Chambers at Ebute Metta, Lagos, held at the weekend.
He decried the state of insecurity which he said was hovering over the country, adding that the situation has created panic and serious fears in the hearts of the people.
“Recently, the President of the United States of America (USA), Mr Donald Trump, made comments and issued a threat with respect to the incessant killings in the country. We believe our government at the federal level is not taking the threat with a hand of levity.
“While we are of the opinion that the American Government should respect our territorial integrity and should not use its super-power might to overun us, the Nigerian Government, being a member of the international community, should put in its best efforts at curbing the insecurity that has engulfed the nation.
“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to take very decisive steps against these monsters and their sponsors.
“The sponsors of these monsters should be fished out and decisively death with. As long as the stem of a tree gets nutrients from its root, the leaves will always sprout out.
“The peace in one state is also the peace in another. What is happening in Niger, Kwara and other states will soon get to us in the South-West, if we don’t address it.
“No one should be under any illusion that the crisis in Benue, Plateau and other states will not ultimately snowballed to Ondo, Edo, Delta and Lagos, if decisive steps are not taken to address them now.
“Sir, bring the miscreants and their sponsors to book. Their names have been mentioned in several fora. The sponsors of these monsters who are determined to ruin this country, should not be spared. They should be handled like common criminals.
“President Tinubu, please bear your father’s name and do the needful without any further delay. We are using this forum to encourage Mr President to take very bold decisions and steps at curbing this menace [insecurity].
“President Bola Tinubu is called upon to show his strength at this time by using all available means, nationally and internationally, to quell the insurrection in the nation. He should not shirk from his responsibility. The world is watching; a stitch in time saves nine,” he said.
Enikuomehin also affirmed that the Judiciary should be up and doing in addressing the matters that are threatening the peace and security of the nation.
“While it is true that lawyers must defend their clients who are charged with serious security risks, we hold the view that the security of the nation should take the uppermost position in our hearts because of the emergency in the land,” he added.
Dr Enikuomehin took a swipe at Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, blaming him for what he (Enikuomehin) said were the pervading hunger and poverty in the state.
“As a law firm, we are not unaware of the bickering going on between the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“It is our admonition that the governor should double his effort at ensuring that good governance and inclusive government are his watchwords.
“He should, as the father of the state, carry all segments of the society along in the development of the state.
“There are a lot of cries of hunger and poverty emanating from Ondo State. Mr Governor is encouraged to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. This is a clarion call on him to secure the confidence of the people that voted him into office.
“We have read many accolades being poured on the Minister of Interior by Mr President and the general public. We encourage him to continue to do his work without distraction.
“The minister has the right to listen to the yearnings of the people who seek his help one way or the other.
“Truth must be told: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nonetheless, he is first and foremost a citizen of Ondo State.
“We urge him to continue to render support for the people of Ondo State who, on almost weekly basis, travel to Abuja for succour against hunger and poverty,” he said.
Enikuomehin, however, appealed to the governor and the minister to resolve their differences amicably, noting that the alleged bickering between the two of them would not be in the best interest of the state and its people.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, lamented what he described as the deplorable state of stagnation and under-development in Ondo State.
Oke, a governorship contender on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, said the state was experiencing stagnation, in spite of its abundant human and natural resources.
“Ilaje is a wealthy local government area in Ondo State. It remains the only recognised oil-producing local government in the South-West. Yet, there are no indices of development, but rather abject poverty.
“Ilaje produced the incumbent governor of Ondo State, but there is not yet on ground, both in the local government area and in the state,” he said.
Among dignitaries present at the end-of-the-year luncheon party were the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul Rasak Adesina Adenugba (Okokodanameji II), Olu of Ilepete, Ondo State, Oba Akingbade Obayelu and Pastor Femi Emmanuel, presiding pastor of Livingspring Chapel International.
