Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has asked Nigerians to pray for former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, following his recent comments on the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
Makinde’s position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade said Nigerians had been shocked by Fayose’s remarks, which he described as false, reckless and capable of distracting ongoing rescue efforts.
According to him, Governor Makinde is currently focused on resolving the security challenge created by the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state and would not be distracted by what he called Fayose’s politics of bitterness.
“Governor Makinde is too preoccupied with finding a solution to the challenges posed by the kidnappers of children and teachers in the state to engage someone whose lifestyle and comportment have been suspect over a long time,” Oyelade said.
He added that Fayose’s comments could further endanger the lives of those still in captivity and distract security operatives handling the delicate rescue operation.
“For a former governor to be so consumed by the politics of vindictiveness, vileness, deceit and hate, that he would further endanger the lives of those in captivity and distract security agents from handling this delicate job, smacks of one who has lost his mind,” the statement added.
Oyelade urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians at large to remain calm and hopeful, assuring them that the state government was working round the clock to secure the release of the abducted persons.
The reaction followed Fayose’s comments during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, where he accused Makinde of failing to act promptly after the abduction incident.
Fayose had alleged, without presenting evidence, that the abduction may have been politically motivated to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.
“I sometimes believe that this, the abduction at Oyo School, was orchestrated in a way, I am not saying totally, by the government of Oyo State to blackmail President Tinubu,” Fayose said.
He also claimed that Makinde only visited the families of the victims after political activities.
“He did not take any action; no steps were taken. It was after those nominations that he went to the families to visit them,” Fayose added.
The exchange has added a political dimension to the Oyo school abduction crisis, which has already generated national concern and calls for urgent action by both the federal and state governments.
Makinde’s government, however, maintained that the priority remains the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, rather than engaging in political accusations.
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