The 2027 Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being uncompassionate and insensitive over the case of the kidnapped students and teachers in Oyo state, alleging that the president is yet to call the state governor, Seyi Makinde, 50 days after the incident.
Obi made the allegation in a post shared on his X handle on Monday.
The former Anambra state governor called out Tinubu as he recounted his conversation with Makinde during his visit to the governor.
Obi expressed his disappointment with the president who, according to him, is yet to call the Oyo governor with the kidnap victims still held in captivity 50 days after their abduction on the 15th of May, 2026.
“The government and people of Oyo State, more than 50 days after the abduction of the schoolchildren without any tangible effort toward their rescue, should rightly feel bitter and abandoned.
“Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children.
“I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy.
“On Friday, July 3, I decided to travel to Ibadan with Prof. Pat Utomi to express solidarity with the Governor, as more than 50 days had elapsed without the rescue of the children and with numerous others still being held captive across the country.
“During our two-hour meeting, I shared my experience in addressing insecurity as Governor of Anambra State.
“I recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, would personally call us several times whenever we faced major security challenges.
“But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu.” Obi said.
The presidential candidate further recounted how Tinubu had called out the former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, demanding his resignation over failure to call former Governor of Borno State and current Vice President, Kashim Shettima, during the early days of the Chibok girls abduction.
“I remember the only case of a school kidnapping during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era – the Chibok girls. It drew local and international attention.
“Even though the security agencies provided almost daily updates on their efforts, Nigerians and the rest of the world were outraged that it took President Jonathan over two weeks to call the then State chief Executive.
“I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor.” He said.
Obi maintained that Tinubu’s call for Jonathan’s immediate resignation also applies to him as he alleged the collapse of his administration.
“That call for IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION should actually be the case in this matter. Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days (over 7 weeks).
“This is outrageous. I suspect the same may also have been the case in other school kidnapping incidents. I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country.
“It is now an indisputable fact that governance has completely collapsed under this administration. The situation reflects a total lack of capacity and compassion, compounded by glaring insensitivity.” The presidential hopeful said.
Obi demanded Tinubu’s resignation or withdrawal from the 2027 General Election over the allegation.
“Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the President should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political.” He added.