Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of orchestrating Friday’s abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of Oyo, alleging the incident was staged to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on a televised programme Monday, Fayose questioned the speed of the state’s response and suggested political motives shaped its handling. He argued that primary responsibility for security rests with state and local governments before it reaches the presidency.
“Before you get to the president in the hierarchy of leadership and governance, there is local government, there is state, state has security votes and there are people that are supposed to be working,” Fayose said.
He further alleged that Makinde delayed action while attending to political nominations. “In Oyo State, I strongly believe though I might be wrong but this sometimes might be orchestrated. The governor of Oyo State had his nomination and that of his candidates in the face of this abduction. He did not take any action, no steps were taken, it was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them.”
Tinubu Sends Delegation, Makinde Calls for Unity, NUT Protests
The kidnapping drew national attention, prompting President Tinubu to dispatch a high-powered delegation to the affected communities with assurances that efforts were underway to free the victims.
Governor Makinde described the incident as “a moment of national distress requiring unity rather than political recriminations,” pledging that all security resources were being deployed for the victims’ safe return.
The abduction also triggered protests on Monday, June 2, as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, in Oyo State embarked on a demonstration over the abduction of pupils and teachers. The union demanded urgent government action to secure the release of those held captive and improve security in schools across the state.
Fourth Allegation This Year, Two Previously Debunked
Today’s claim is Fayose’s fourth major public allegation against Makinde in 2026. Of the previous three, two have been strongly denied and fact-checked by Makinde’s government.
On the N50bn Ibadan Explosion Fund in January, Fayose alleged Makinde received N50 billion after the January 2024 Bodija explosion but disbursed only N4.5 billion. Makinde’s Special Adviser Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju dismissed it as “misleading and deliberately disingenuous,” saying the Federal Government released N30 billion, not N50 billion, and withheld the balance after Makinde rejected inducement demands. No independent audit has verified Fayose’s figure.
In April, Fayose claimed on X that Makinde was plotting to remove Olubadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja. Both Makinde and the Olubadan’s palace called the report “unfounded and baseless,” insisting there was no rift between them.
In February, Fayose said Makinde’s criticism of Tinubu followed a fruitless reconciliation visit to the Presidential Villa. Makinde has not publicly responded to that claim.
As of press time, the Oyo State Government had not responded to the abduction allegation, and no evidence has been presented by either side. That leaves two allegations officially denied and two still pending evidence or rebuttal.
Ahead of 2027, he has publicly endorsed President Tinubu and Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji for second terms, despite remaining in the PDP. For the 2026 Ekiti governorship, he dismissed PDP aspirants and predicted a “landslide victory” for Oyebanji. He has reaffirmed he will not join the APC and is operating as a commentator and kingmaker rather than a candidate.
Fayose’s Political Status: Kingmaker, Not Candidate
Fayose, who served two terms as Ekiti governor from 2003-2006 and 2014-2018, says he is not contesting any position in 2026 or 2027. In a March 2023 Channels TV interview he stated, “I am not in politics for what it is anymore. God has given me a fair opportunity to lead Ekiti two times and defeated two incumbents”.
