Tinubu Never Called Me During Oyo Kidnapping Crisis – Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said President Bola Tinubu did not contact him during the 56-day abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, despite his efforts to reach the President over the incident.

Makinde disclosed in an interview with ARISE News on Friday, while discussing his relationship with Tinubu, whom he supported during the 2023 presidential election.

The governor said he had sought a meeting with the President after the victims were kidnapped, believing that the security situation in Oyo should attract the attention of the Government.

He explained that he expected Tinubu to reach out to him to discuss the incident but received no call from the President throughout the period.

“I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidnapped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the President should be interested. Actually, I expected the President to call me,” he said.

“He did not. No. Till tomorrow,” he added.  

Makinde also revealed that he tried contacting the State Chief of Protocol to facilitate communication with Tinubu, but the official did not respond to his call.

He stressed that he had never had a direct conversation with the President on any matter, adding that he had continued to focus on governing Oyo State without making an issue of the situation.

“I’m saying it again that till tomorrow I’ve not spoken directly with the President about anything. I’m just minding my own business, running Oyo State. And I’m not complaining,” he said. 

The interviewer questioned the apparent strain in their relationship, particularly given Makinde’s support for Tinubu in the 2023 election and the votes the President secured in Oyo State.

Asked what might have caused the distance between them, the governor said he could only speculate that reports of his possible presidential ambition in 2027 might have influenced the President’s attitude towards him.

He suggested that Tinubu might have been told that he was considering contesting against him, although he said he had no evidence that such reports were responsible for the strained relationship.

“Well, I can only hazard a guess. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, he may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he said.

The comments come months after pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom following 56 days in captivity.

The victims were seized on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked schools in the area.

The Nigerian Army announced their rescue on July 10 after a security operation involving multiple agencies.

Following their release, Makinde publicly expressed appreciation to Tinubu and security agencies for their roles in securing the victims’ freedom, describing the development as a major relief for the state.