Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has stirred controversy after alleging that the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State may have been orchestrated to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Fayose made the claim during a television interview while reacting to the security situation in Oyo State and the handling of the incident by Governor Seyi Makinde’s government.
The former governor questioned the response of the state government following the abduction, arguing that attention was quickly directed at the Federal Government despite the constitutional responsibilities of state authorities in maintaining security within their territories.
According to him, governance operates through different layers, including local governments and state governments, before issues reach the presidency.
He maintained that state governments receive security votes and have structures in place to address emergencies and threats within their jurisdictions.
“Let me branch to Oyo State, before you get to the president in the hierarchy of leadership and governance, there is local government, there is state, state has security votes and there are people that are supposed to be working,” Fayose said.
The former governor further alleged that Governor Makinde failed to act immediately after the incident occurred. He claimed that the governor remained focused on political activities and party-related engagements while affected families waited for official intervention.
“In Oyo State, I strongly believe though I might be wrong but this sometimes might be orchestrated. The governor of Oyo State had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction,” he said.
“He did not take any action, no steps were taken, it was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them.”
Fayose went on to suggest that the kidnapping may have been deliberately manipulated for political reasons. He alleged that the incident was used to create negative public perception against the Federal Government and President Tinubu.
“I sometimes believe that the abduction at Oyo School was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu,” Fayose stated.
His comments have since generated debate among political observers and members of the public, with many calling for evidence to support such a serious allegation.
The kidnapping incident had attracted widespread attention across the country after armed men reportedly attacked communities in parts of Oyo State and abducted pupils alongside members of staff. The development triggered concerns over the safety of schools and renewed discussions on insecurity in several parts of Nigeria.
Following the incident, President Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and dispatched a high-level delegation to the affected areas. The Federal Government also assured residents that every available resource would be deployed to secure the safe return of the victims.
As of the time of filing this report, Governor Makinde and the Oyo State Government had not issued any official response to Fayose’s allegations.