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Tag: Ayo Fayose

  • Fayose Stands By Claim Linking Makinde to Oyo School Kidnap

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has reaffirmed his controversial comments suggesting that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde may have questions to answer over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

    Fayose made the remarks during an interview on EKTV, saying he had no regrets over his earlier comments despite the backlash they generated.

    Fayose Refuses to Retract Statement

    Speaking in a mix of English and Yoruba, Fayose said his experience as a former governor informed his position on security matters.

    He maintained that he understood how security challenges should be handled and insisted he was speaking based on his convictions.

    “I stand by what I said about Governor Makinde. I was a Governor too and I handled security issues very well. I used my security very well,” Fayose said.

    His latest comments come days after he alleged that the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area could have been politically motivated.

    Earlier Allegation Against Makinde

    Fayose had made the initial allegation during an interview on Channels Television, where he suggested that the kidnapping incident may have been orchestrated to embarrass President Bola Tinubu.

    The former governor argued that the timing of the abduction raised suspicions and questioned whether political interests could be behind the incident.

    His comments generated widespread reactions from political observers and members of the public.

    Tinubu Will Win, Fayose Says

    During the EKTV interview, Fayose also expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s political strength ahead of future elections.

    According to him, politicians seeking to remove Tinubu through political tactics should instead wait for the next election cycle.

    “Anyone who wants Tinubu out should wait until we get to the field and let the votes speak. Tinubu will beat them all silly,” he said.

    He added that using security challenges as a political weapon would not produce the desired outcome.

    Kidnap Crisis Continues

    The controversy comes as concerns continue over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    Security agencies have intensified efforts to rescue the victims, while political leaders and stakeholders continue to debate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Isaac Fayose Criticises Brother Ayo Fayose Over Comments on Governors and Insecurity

    Isaac Fayose has criticised his elder brother and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, over comments linking state governments to rising insecurity and alleged political attempts to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The disagreement follows Ayo Fayose’s recent viral remarks in which he argued that governors cannot be absolved of responsibility for insecurity in their states due to the security votes and structures at their disposal.

    Isaac Fayose Rejects Position

    Reacting in a video shared online, Isaac Fayose challenged the stance, describing it as inconsistent and unfair in light of recent security incidents across the country.

    He questioned why similar scrutiny was not applied uniformly across states, citing kidnapping cases in Ekiti State.

    “Four weeks ago, five weeks ago, they kidnapped people in my own state, Ekiti State, and you are supporting the governor there. Why didn’t you tell the governor of Ekiti that you are collecting security votes? Why can’t you protect the Ekiti people?” he said.

    Reference to Nationwide Insecurity

    Isaac Fayose also pointed to insecurity challenges in several states including Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kwara, arguing that the problem is national and not limited to individual governors.

    He questioned whether governors in those states should be solely held responsible for criminal activities, stressing that insecurity cuts across political and regional lines.

    Ongoing Debate on Security Roles

    The exchange has further fuelled public debate over the constitutional role of state governors in managing security, especially in relation to security votes and control over security agencies.

    While Ayo Fayose maintained that governors bear significant responsibility for security outcomes, Isaac Fayose insisted that attributing kidnappings and violence solely to state leaders oversimplifies a wider national challenge.

    The discussion continues to generate reactions online as Nigerians debate accountability in the country’s worsening security situation.

  • Fayose Alleges Oyo Kidnap May Be Plot to Embarrass Tinubu

    Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has alleged that the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may have been orchestrated to embarrass President Bola Tinubu, a claim that has added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the attack.

    Fayose made the allegation on Monday during an interview on Channels Television, where he questioned the timing of events surrounding the kidnapping and the political activities of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

    Fayose Questions Timing of Incident

    According to Fayose, the circumstances surrounding the abduction raised suspicions about possible political motives aimed at discrediting the Tinubu administration.

    He argued that Governor Makinde appeared more focused on political activities linked to his party’s nomination process before publicly engaging with the families of the victims.

    “And I want to say to you in Oyo State, I have a strong belief, I may be wrong, that this sometimes can be orchestrated,” Fayose said.

    “The Governor of Oyo State had his nomination, the nomination of his candidate in the face of this abduction. He did not take any action, no steps were taken. It was after all those nominations that he went to the family to visit them.”

    Comparison With Jonathan Era

    Fayose also claimed that the incident was being used in a manner similar to how insecurity became a major issue during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had inherited significant challenges from previous administrations and was making efforts to address them.

    “I can sometimes believe that this was orchestrated in a way, I’m not saying totally, by the government of Oyo State to blackmail President Tinubu,” he added.

    Background to the Abduction

    Armed men riding motorcycles attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A Primary School in Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area, on May 15.

    Police confirmed that an assistant headmaster, Mr Adesiyan, was killed during the attack. An okada rider was also reportedly shot dead after resisting attempts by the attackers to seize his motorcycle.

    Governor Seyi Makinde later disclosed that 25 students and seven teachers were abducted, while one teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the attackers. Videos circulated online later showed that the teacher was beheaded.

    Makinde’s Response

    Makinde has repeatedly condemned the attack and said the state government was prepared to explore all lawful options to secure the release of the victims.

    Addressing journalists in Ibadan, the governor said the government was willing to listen to the abductors’ demands if it would help secure the safe return of those in captivity.

    He also announced the establishment of an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and provide verified information to the public.

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.