Those Who Blamed Jonathan Over Chibok Are Blaming Me Over Oriire Abduction— Makinde 

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said those who blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2014 abduction of Chibok schoolgirls are now blaming him for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire, noting that Nigerians know a governor has no direct control over security apparatus.

Makinde, who is also the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, spoke in Bauchi on Friday during a visit to Governor Bala Mohammed.

He said Oyo State had not recorded any abduction in the last seven years and two months until May 15, 2026.

“This is my very first job in the public space. And I have been on this job for seven years and two months. The insecurity happened two months ago, May 15. So for several years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State,” he said.

“I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at 4 o’clock. And by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted. We are still feeling our way through all of this. Yes, we may have to do more. And we’re trying to do more. We’re cooperating with the federal government.”

The governor said that although he and Governor Mohammed are chief security officers of their states, they cannot give direct instructions to heads of security agencies.

“Myself and my brother, Governor Bala Mohammed, are the chief security officers in our states, but I cannot give an instruction to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo. He will need to get approval from the Inspector General of Police. 

“He cannot give instructions to the State Director of the DSS. He will need clearance from the DG of DSS. The same with the military and all those who are supposed to handle insecurity for us,” Makinde stated.

He faulted the double standard in public reaction to abductions. 

“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,” he said.

Makinde also cautioned against seeing a curfew as the solution to insecurity, saying the economic impact must be considered.

Speaking on consultations for a running mate, Makinde said that was one of the reasons for his visit to Bauchi.

Governor Mohammed commended Makinde for the visit, saying he has confidence in his candidature, having “transformed” Oyo State and rebuilt the Federal Government airport abandoned for years. 

He expressed readiness to support Makinde’s ambition and called on Nigerians to believe in the APM.

“If the people of Nigeria will trust APM with the presidency of Nigeria, we will ensure that responsibilities and authorities go together,” Makinde added.