SGF slams Makinde for politicising Oyo pupils’ abduction

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for allegedly politicizing the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. Akume asserted that President Bola Tinubu prioritized the victims' rescue through intelligence-driven security operations rather than engaging in "public grandstanding."

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We live in a society where everything is politicised. Yes, we inherited difficult situations, but we are improving by the day. I also assured him that President Bola Tinubu has taken the fight against insecurity very seriously. You could see the political sagacity and strategy of the President by ensuring the release of our dear ones who were held captives by these crooks.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Akume responded to Governor Makinde's recent complaint that President Tinubu had not called him following the abduction. Makinde had formally assumed responsibility for the welfare and education of the 45 rescued teachers and pupils, who were held captive for 56 days, and called for a UN-backed investigation into the incident.

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When the noise was rife that the President didn’t place a phone call to someone, it doesn’t make sense. Would a telephone call to that person have resolved the case? Would those held captives have been released? No.

Akume suggested that a telephone call would not have resolved the abduction case. "Would a telephone call to that person have resolved the case? Would those held captives have been released? No," he stated. He argued that the strategy employed to ensure the safety and release of those held captive should be paramount, rather than focusing on a phone call.

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It is the strategy being used to ensure the safety of those held in captivity that should be paramount. We should be interested in the release of these children and others. We should not be interested in a telephone call.

The SGF described President Tinubu as "a doer" whose leadership is characterized by action and results, likening him to the Centurion of the old Roman Empire. Akume pointed to the safe return of the children through the strategic efforts of security agencies under the President's leadership as evidence of his effective governance. He urged Nigerians to focus on the successful rescue rather than political commentary.

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This is why I tell people that Asiwaju (the President) is a doer. He is not a talker. He is like the Centurion of the old Roman Empire whose services were rendered in deeds and not in words. His leadership is defined by action and results.