Governor Seyi Makinde has criticised those blaming his administration for the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, arguing that state governments should not bear sole responsibility for such security challenges.
Speaking during a visit to Bala Mohammed in Bauchi State, Seyi Makinde drew a comparison with the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, noting that Nigerians held then-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan accountable for the incident.
According to the governor, many Nigerians and members of the international community mounted campaigns urging Jonathan to ensure the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls, highlighting how public attention was focused on the federal government during the crisis.
Seyi Makinde said:
“It’s unbelievable. When Chibok happened, it was the fault of President Jonathan. They went all over the world asking Jonathan to bring back the children.
“But when the Oyo State abduction happened, they said it was the irresponsibility of the state governor and the state government.
“So we need to look at our architecture and be sure that where you give responsibility, you also give authority to deal with those responsibilities.
“And that is exactly what we will do if the people of Nigeria trust us.”
BACKSTORY:
Governor Seyi Makinde‘s remarks come in the wake of public criticism over a recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, which reignited concerns about rising insecurity in parts of the state. The incident prompted calls for stronger security measures and questions about the effectiveness of the state’s efforts to tackle crime.
While policing and internal security are constitutionally under the control of the Federal Government through agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, state governors are widely regarded as the chief security officers of their states and are often held politically accountable whenever major security breaches occur.
Makinde’s reference to the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls recalled one of Nigeria’s most devastating security incidents, when more than 270 schoolgirls were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. The abduction sparked global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, with then-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan facing intense domestic and international pressure over the government’s response.
By drawing the comparison, Makinde argued that, just as Jonathan became the focal point of public criticism during the Chibok crisis despite security being a federal responsibility, he is now being blamed for kidnapping incidents in Oyo State because governors are often held accountable for security situations within their states.
