Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may have been orchestrated to embarrass and blackmail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Fayose made the controversial claim during a television interview while discussing the security situation in the country.

According to him, the response of the Oyo State Government to the incident raised questions, as he claimed that Governor Seyi Makinde initially focused on political activities before publicly engaging with the families of the abducted victims. Fayose said he had a “strong belief,” though he admitted he could be wrong, that the incident might have been politically motivated.

The former governor argued that state governments have significant responsibilities in addressing security challenges within their territories, including the use of security votes and local security structures. He maintained that blame for insecurity should not always be directed at the Federal Government, insisting that state authorities must also be held accountable for protecting lives and property.

Fayose further claimed that the kidnapping was being used to tarnish the image of President Tinubu, drawing parallels with past accusations that insecurity was used as a political tool against previous administrations. His remarks have generated widespread reactions from political observers and members of the public, with many questioning the basis of the allegation.

Neither the Oyo State Government nor Governor Makinde had officially responded to Fayose’s allegations as of the time of this report. The abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire has continued to attract national attention, with ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities to secure the release of the remaining victims and address growing concerns over insecurity in schools.