Oyo abduction: Makinde told me Tinubu never called; shouldn’t seek re-election – Obi
By Ayobami Okerinde
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2027 elections, has expressed concern over what he perceives as a deteriorating leadership crisis in Nigeria. He claims that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde informed him President Bola Tinubu has not reached out in more than 50 days following the abduction of schoolchildren in the state.
In a post shared on X on Monday, Obi criticized the government’s response to insecurity, stating it reflects a lack of both empathy and effective governance.
Obi noted he has made public appeals to the kidnappers for the children’s release and has communicated twice with Governor Makinde to offer his support, characterizing the situation as “a Nigerian tragedy” rather than merely an issue limited to Oyo State.
“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,” Obi wrote.
He highlighted a visit he made to Ibadan on July 3, alongside economist Prof. Pat Utomi, to discuss the prevailing security challenges with Makinde. During their conversation, Obi shared insights from his tenure as governor of Anambra State, recalling how past Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan routinely reached out to state governors in response to significant security threats.
Obi expressed surprise upon learning that Governor Makinde had not received a single call from President Tinubu regarding the abduction. “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,” he stated.
Recalling the 2014 abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, Obi noted that Tinubu was among the critics who condemned then-President Jonathan for his delayed contact with the governor of Borno State. He contrasted that situation with the current administration, pointing out, “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.”
Obi underscored the urgency of addressing the welfare of those kidnapped, asserting, “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.”
Concluding his remarks, Obi called on President Tinubu to either resign or reconsider his candidacy for a second term, emphasizing that this appeal is a call to patriotism rather than a political maneuver.