By: Sunday Ameh
A civil society organisation, the Association for Good Governance Advocacy (AGGA), Ondo State chapter, has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of indirectly encouraging cult-related activities through a political mobilisation platform linked to his administration.
The group made the allegation in a statement signed by its State Coordinator, Mrs. Folakemi Benson, expressing concern over what it described as a growing wave of cultism and insecurity across the state.
AGGA alleged that armed cult groups were being empowered ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such developments could further destabilise Ondo State if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
According to the organisation, some politicians were allegedly arming cultists and criminal elements for use as political thugs in the build-up to the elections.
The advocacy group linked the increase in kidnapping, robbery, and other violent crimes in the state to activities of suspected cult groups, claiming that many of them now have access to firearms.
It further alleged that several criminal incidents, particularly kidnapping cases, often go unreported, creating what it described as a false impression that the security situation remains under control.
The group therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering and immediately clamp down on criminal elements operating across the state.
AGGA specifically referenced the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation for Tinubu (LACOT), a political mobilisation structure recently inaugurated to galvanise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the group, members of the platform adopted blue berets as part of their identity — a development it claimed bears resemblance to the regalia of a known cult group and could embolden criminal elements.
“It is shameful that at a period when the state is battling insecurity, supporters of the governor would launch a campaign group adopting attire similar to that associated with cult groups,” the statement said.
The group also referenced the recent abduction of worshippers at a church in Uso, Owo Local Government Area, describing the incident as evidence of worsening security challenges in the state.
AGGA urged security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into alleged political sponsorship of cultism and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted regardless of political affiliation.
The organisation further called for decisive action to curb insecurity and restore public confidence in Ondo State’s security framework.
Meanwhile, LACOT was formally unveiled in Akure during an inaugural meeting where members pledged support for President Tinubu and committed to grassroots mobilisation across the state’s 18 local government areas.
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