Fayose Wanted to Whitewash Tinubu on Live TV — But Ended Up Mocking Kidnap Victims Instead.
Former Ekiti State Governor, , has come under heavy criticism following his recent comments on national television regarding the insecurity crisis in Oyo State and the kidnapping of students and teachers.
During an interview on Channels Television, Fayose suggested that the recent abduction incident in Oyo State may have been “orchestrated” by the Oyo State Government to blackmail President . The statement immediately triggered widespread reactions from Nigerians, political observers, and social media users, many of whom described the remark as insensitive, reckless, and politically motivated.
The former governor’s comments came at a time when insecurity across Nigeria continues to generate national concern. In recent months, several states across the country have witnessed attacks, kidnappings, and violent incidents affecting schools, religious institutions, highways, and rural communities.
Critics of Fayose argue that attempting to politicize the Oyo abduction case undermines the seriousness of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges. Many Nigerians questioned why the former governor would accuse the Oyo State Government of orchestrating insecurity merely because the state is controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while remaining silent when similar incidents occurred in states governed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Observers pointed to multiple kidnapping incidents that occurred in northern Nigeria in late 2025. In Niger State, over 300 students were reportedly abducted by terrorists in an attack linked to Boko Haram elements. The state is governed by APC Governor . Critics asked whether Fayose would also claim that such an incident was orchestrated by the Niger State Government to blackmail President Tinubu.
Similarly, reports from Kebbi State indicated that about 25 schoolgirls were abducted during another attack allegedly carried out by insurgents. Kebbi is also governed by the APC, yet no accusation of political orchestration was raised.
In Kwara State, worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) gathering were reportedly attacked by gunmen, with several persons kidnapped during the invasion. Once again, the state government was not accused of staging the incident for political advantage.
Political commentators have therefore described Fayose’s position as contradictory and lacking in empathy for victims of insecurity. Many insist that the focus should be on improving intelligence gathering, strengthening security operations, and protecting citizens rather than engaging in partisan blame games.
Adding to the criticism is the fact that Ekiti State, Fayose’s own state, has also experienced cases of insecurity in recent times. Analysts noted that the former governor did not publicly accuse the Ekiti State Government of orchestrating attacks or using insecurity to blackmail the federal government when similar incidents occurred there weeks earlier.
Across social media platforms, many Nigerians expressed disappointment that a former governor and senior political figure would make comments capable of trivializing the pain of kidnapped victims and their families. Several users accused political elites of constantly prioritizing party loyalty over the safety and welfare of ordinary citizens.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that Nigeria’s insecurity crisis requires collective responsibility and bipartisan cooperation rather than divisive political rhetoric. Kidnappings for ransom, school attacks, banditry, and insurgency have continued to threaten many parts of the country despite repeated assurances from authorities.
While supporters of the Tinubu administration argue that the federal government is working to improve security nationwide, critics maintain that the scale of attacks across various states shows that the crisis remains far from over.
For many Nigerians, Fayose’s comments represent a dangerous attempt to downplay a serious national emergency. Rather than shifting blame or making controversial allegations without evidence, citizens believe political leaders should unite in demanding urgent and effective solutions to the growing insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across the nation.
As debates continue over the former governor’s remarks, one thing remains clear: Nigerians expect empathy, responsibility, and leadership from public officials — especially at a time when countless families are living in fear due to the country’s persistent security challenges.
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