Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over comments linking the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area to the period immediately after he declared his 2027 presidential ambition.
He also questioned whether the governor was fully aware of the rescue efforts as they unfolded.
Olayinka wrote, “When Gomina Seyi Makinde was busy meeting with his political allies in Bauchi and whipping up sentiments, the abducted pupils and teachers were being rescued. I doubt if he was aware of anything.”
The remarks followed Makinde’s address to supporters and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, where he recalled that the abduction occurred less than 24 hours after he formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The governor noted that Oyo State had experienced years without a major school kidnapping before the attack on May 15, describing the incident as an unfortunate development that came shortly after he entered the presidential race.
He later emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement for the 2027 election.
On Friday, the Presidency announced that all the abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.
The operation was conducted jointly by the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
The federal government disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were killed.
The Presidency also stated that the victims were freed without any ransom payment, negotiation or prisoner exchange, despite demands by the abductors for the release of one of their detained leaders facing prosecution.