Governor Seyi Makinde has defended his administration’s security record. He also questioned the criticism that followed a recent school abduction in Oyo State.
BAUCHI, BAUCHI STATE — Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration did not record a school abduction for seven years until shortly after he declared his intention to contest the presidency, according to remarks he made during a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the All Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi on Friday.
Speaking at the meeting, Makinde said the timing of the incident raised concerns. He stated that he declared his presidential ambition at about 4 p.m. and that by 9 a.m. the following day, pupils were abducted in Oyo State. The governor did not present evidence linking the timing of his declaration to the abduction.
Makinde also compared public reactions to the incident with the response to the 2014 Chibok school abduction. He said, “For seven years as Oyo State governor, we did not witness such an incident in my state. I declared to run for the presidency at 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the following morning, children were abducted in Oyo State.” He added, “When Chibok happened, it was the fault of President Jonathan. They went all over the world and asked Jonathan to bring back the children. But when this happened, no, it is the irresponsibility of the state governor and the state government.”
The comments came during a political meeting attended by Governor Bala Mohammed and APM leaders in Bauchi State, where discussions reportedly focused on national political developments ahead of the 2027 general election. The recent abduction in Oyo State has drawn nationwide attention, with security agencies later announcing that the affected pupils and teachers had been rescued after a joint operation.
The development means security and accountability are likely to remain major issues in Nigeria’s political discourse as preparations for the 2027 elections continue. The governor’s remarks are also expected to generate further debate among political stakeholders over the roles of federal and state authorities in addressing security challenges across the country.
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