Makinde: President Tinubu Did Not Reach Out During Oyo Abduction Crisis

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu did not establish contact with him throughout the 56-day period when pupils and teachers from his state were held captive. This lack of communication persisted despite Governor Makinde's own attempts to reach the President. The governor made this disclosure during an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Friday, where he discussed his relationship with President Tinubu, whom he had publicly supported in the 2023 presidential election.

Makinde recounted his efforts to meet with the President when the abduction crisis unfolded, expressing his expectation that the Federal Government would prioritize a security challenge affecting any part of the nation. “I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidn*pped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the President should be interested. Actually, I expected the President to call me,” he stated. When directly asked if President Tinubu had called him, Makinde responded unequivocally, “He did not. No. Till tomorrow.” He further explained that he also reached out to the State Chief of Protocol in an attempt to connect with the President, but his call went unanswered.

The governor clarified that he has not engaged in direct discussions with President Tinubu on any matter since the incident. “I’m saying it again that till tomorrow I’ve not spoken directly with the President, about anything. I’m just minding my own business, running Oyo State. And I’m not complaining,” Makinde affirmed.

During the interview, the anchor questioned the apparent distance between the two political figures, especially considering Makinde's endorsement of Tinubu's presidential bid and the votes the President garnered in Oyo State. When asked about the potential cause of the strained relationship, Governor Makinde offered a speculative explanation, suggesting it might stem from rumours about his possible candidacy against Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. “Well, I can only hazard a guess. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, she may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he remarked.

These statements come several months after the students and teachers, who were abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity. The incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed individuals attacked the schools. The Nigerian Army later announced the successful rescue of the victims on July 10, following a multi-agency security operation. However, following their release, Governor Makinde had publicly extended gratitude to President Tinubu and various security agencies, describing the rescue as a significant relief.