The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for an independent United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction and subsequent rescue of pupils and teachers in Ogbomoso, describing the move as “bizarre politics.”
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, faulted Makinde’s remarks, arguing that the governor’s demand for an international inquiry was unnecessary and politically motivated, particularly when Nigerian security agencies had already handled the incident.
The exchange followed Makinde’s statement on Monday, in which he urged the United Nations and other international accountability institutions to launch an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the high-profile abduction and rescue operation. According to the governor, Nigerians deserve a transparent and comprehensive account of what transpired, insisting that questions surrounding the incident should not be left unanswered.
Makinde maintained that a credible and impartial investigation would help strengthen public confidence, ensure accountability where necessary, and provide clarity on the events leading to the victims’ eventual rescue.
However, responding to the governor’s position, Onanuga dismissed the proposal as an attempt to politicise a sensitive national security matter. He argued that Nigeria possesses the institutional capacity to investigate such incidents without external intervention, warning against actions that could undermine the credibility of the country’s security architecture.
The disagreement has further highlighted the growing political tension between the Presidency and the Oyo State governor, with both sides offering sharply contrasting views on transparency, accountability, and the appropriate response to one of the country’s recent security incidents.
The latest war of words underscores the increasingly charged political atmosphere as debates over security, governance, and public accountability continue to dominate national discourse.
