Peter Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu for not calling Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde more than 50 days after gunmen abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso. Obi made the remarks in a statement on Monday following his visit to Makinde in Ibadan.
Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, visited Makinde on July 3 to express solidarity. During the meeting, Makinde told Obi that Tinubu had not reached out even once since the incident. Obi stated he was shocked by this revelation.
Obi noted that Tinubu had previously demanded immediate action from former President Goodluck Jonathan after the 2014 Chibok abduction.
He pointed out that Tinubu called for Jonathan’s resignation when the president delayed contact with the affected governor. Obi said the current situation applied the same or worse standard.
He added that he appealed publicly twice for the release of the abducted pupils and teachers. Obi also called Makinde twice to show support. Obi described the abduction as a national tragedy rather than a state issue alone.
Gunmen abducted around 37 pupils and teachers from schools in Ogbomoso more than 50 days before Obi’s statement. The federal government later sent a delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and deployed security measures, including forest guards.
Obi stated that Makinde confirmed no direct communication from Tinubu. He described this as outrageous and evidence of a worsening leadership crisis. Obi called on Tinubu to resign or not seek re-election in 2027 due to lack of capacity and compassion.
Obi highlighted that more than 13 school kidnappings occurred under the current administration. He stressed the need for stronger federal-state coordination on security matters. Obi said the silence from the president after such a major incident showed deeper problems in governance.
The statement came amid ongoing efforts to rescue the victims and secure the affected areas in Oyo State. Obi urged immediate and compassionate leadership from the highest levels of government.
