Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has called on Nigerians to be prayerful for the former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose.
On Monday, June 1, Fayose alleged that the Oyo state government orchestrated the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of the state as part of a plot to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.
Fayose made the allegation while speaking on a televised programme, where he questioned the response of the Oyo state government to the incident and suggested that political considerations may have influenced its handling. Vanguard quoted Fayose as saying: “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 said.
“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:
“I sometimes believe that the abduction at Oyo School was orchestrated by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President Tinubu.”
But reacting on Tuesday, June 2, through a statement issued by Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo state commissioner for information, Governor Makinde said Nigerians watched with shock as the former Ekiti governor disintegrated before the eyes of the world by making a series of false accusations, apparently under certain influences.
Oyelade said 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. He added that 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 official noted that even President Tinubu has publicly commended Governor Makinde twice since the kidnapping took place on Friday, May 15. The commissioner urged the people of the state and Nigerians at large to remain hopeful, noting that Governor Makinde has been working day and night to secure the release of the abducted children and teachers.
