More knocks came yesterday for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call on the United Nations (UN) and other foreign bodies to probe the abduction and rescue of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Senate, which expressed surprise at the governor’s outburst, lamented that he attempted to trivialise the genuine efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the sacrifices made by security agencies during the rescue mission.
Chiding Makinde for his remarks, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume wondered why the governor chose to politicise a matter of national importance.
Also rejecting the call, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, asked the governor to apologise to the victims.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said that instead of calling for an international investigation, Makinde’s actions during and after the abduction should be investigated.
He said if the Oyo governor escapes investigation because of constitutional immunity, he should be probed after leaving office.
United Nations Independent Expert and Vice Chairman of the International Law Association, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), said the governor’s request was inconsistent with the mandate of the world body as contained in the UN Charter.
A legal scholar, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), who dissected the call for a UN probe, said the matter does not merit international investigation, adding that Makinde merely made a political statement.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said the governor was not properly advised before making the statement. He added that the UN has no jurisdiction to investigate abductions by bandits in member states.
The Senate criticised Makinde’s call for a UN probe, saying it was capable of trivialising the sacrifices made by security personnel involved in the rescue operation.
It commended the President and security agencies, describing the successful operation as a major victory against terrorism and kidnapping, which demonstrated the growing operational capacity of Nigeria’s security architecture under the Tinubu Administration.
The commendation followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and recognition of the gallant security personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice during the operation.”
The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and co-sponsored by all senators.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to ensure the immediate payment of statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of security personnel who died during the rescue mission.
In addition, it called on the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups through improved logistics, intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, modern equipment and enhanced welfare for members of the armed forces and other security agencies.
Following the adoption of the motion, the Senate resolved to congratulate the rescued schoolchildren, teachers and their families on the successful conclusion of their ordeal.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) opposed the governor’s position, arguing that it diminished the sacrifices made by security personnel.
He said the governor’s comments amounted to trivialising a tragic national security incident after security agencies had risked their lives to rescue the victims.
Oshiomole urged the senate to reject the governor’s call for an international probe.
His proposal, seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Cross River South) was subsequently adopted as part of Senate’s resolution.
Leading the debate, Bamidele said the rescue operation reflected President Tinubu’s decisive leadership and commitment to protecting Nigerians.
He said the incident represented a dangerous expansion of organised criminal activities into the Southwest, adding that it constituted a direct attack on every child’s constitutional right to education in a safe environment.
Bamidele said: “The successful rescue operation restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities, while sending a clear message that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ibrahim said Makinde should apologise to the pupils and teachers as a gesture of empathy and responsible leadership.
Ibrahim, who also chairs the UN Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters, said in a statement that Makinde’s immediate priority should be the welfare and rehabilitation of the victims rather than seeking international intervention.
He clarified that the United Nations has no mandate to investigate domestic security incidents in member states.
Ibrahim added: “The United Nations does not interfere in the internal affairs of its member states. It is not an institution established to investigate domestic security incidents.
He said the incident represented a dangerous expansion of organised criminal activities into the Southwest, adding that it constituted a direct attack on every child’s constitutional right to education in a safe environment.
Security within a country’s territory remains the primary responsibility of the government at all levels.”
The envoy urged the governor to publicly identify with the victims by apologising for the security lapse that led to their abduction.
He said: “The first duty of government is the protection of lives and properties. When that responsibility is challenged, leaders should identify with the victims, express genuine sympathy and provide the support necessary for their recovery.”
Ibrahim also appealed to Makinde to support the families affected by the incident, particularly the children of teachers who lost their lives during the ordeal.
He added that if the state required additional resources to care for the victims and their families, the government should make its needs known to Nigerians.
Ibrahim stressed: “If Oyo State requires additional financial support to care for these children and the families affected, the governor should make the need known. Nigerians are compassionate people and will readily support initiatives aimed at giving the victims a better future.”
Akume, who berated Makinde for politicising the abduction, said President Tinubu remained focused on securing the victims’ safe release rather than engaging in political optics.
He said the President’s handling of the 56-day hostage crisis demonstrated strategic leadership and a results-driven approach, adding that public complaints over the absence of a telephone call from the President were misplaced while security agencies were working to free the captives.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving members of the Global Association of Christian and Muslim Youth for Peace and Development, led by its President, Peter Asuquo Bassey, the SGF said the successful rescue operation reflected the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity through intelligence-led operations instead of “public grandstanding.”
Faulting Makinde’s earlier complaint that President Tinubu did not telephone him during the crisis, Akume questioned the relevance of such concerns while security efforts were underway.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Akume added that Makinde was merely playing politics.
Makinde should be investigated, says Fayose.
Fayose said Makinde’s call for a probe did not make sense, wondering why he was evading reality.
He said the governor had invited scrutiny that would continue to haunt him.
Speaking on the telephone, Fayose said: “He is inviting the truth to visit him, and the truth will visit him. He is nearing the end of his tenure. He will soon lose immunity. He will come and stand before all Nigerians to defend his atrocities.”
Fayose added: “Makinde will be called to account. Oyo was not the first place where there was an abduction. He is a suspect. Only the guilty is afraid. Investigation will eventually come. I had accused him before.
“His actions and inactions show that his hands are not clean. He must not run away after his tenure.
Makinde clueless, says Oyo APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State described the governor’s call as shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader.
Its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said the outburst represented the height of ineptitude, cluelessness and grandstanding.
Sadare said in a statement that the governor plays politics with everything, including the welfare and security of the people.
He said: “Cluelessness is when a governor feels he would only function well as the Chief Security Officer of his state if he were handed the power to appoint and control the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and the rest of them.
“But for dirty politicking, naivety and cluelessness, any informed person should know about Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, which shields sovereign states from external interference.
“And if it becomes a must for Makinde to make such a call, he should be courageous enough to submit himself to investigation over the diversion of local government funds, the abduction and brutal killings of Igangan residents, the N7.7 billion surveillance aircraft deal, the fire-fighting truck scam, the possession of lethal weapons by Mukaila Auxiliary, the N50 billion Bodija explosion relief fund, the Agbowo Shopping Complex contract, the Ibadan Airport and stadium upgrade projects, loan scandals and other issues.”
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