Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu did not contact him throughout the 56 days that schoolchildren and their teachers were held captive after being abducted in the state.
Makinde made the revelation during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, while discussing his relationship with Tinubu, whom he supported during the 2023 presidential election.
The governor said he had attempted to meet the President following the abduction, expecting the Federal Government to show concern over the security situation in the state.
According to him, he was particularly disappointed that Tinubu did not personally reach out to him during the period, despite the severity of the incident.
“I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidnapped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the President should be interested. Actually, I expected the President to call me,” he said.
When asked whether the President eventually contacted him, Makinde responded, “He did not. No. Till tomorrow.”
He further disclosed that he attempted to reach Tinubu through the State Chief of Protocol but received no response to his call.
The governor, however, stressed that he had never had a direct conversation with the President about any matter.
“I’m saying it again that till tomorrow I’ve not spoken directly with the President, about anything. I’m just minding my own business, running Oyo State. And I’m not complaining,” he said.
During the interview, the presenter also drew attention to the apparent strain in the relationship between both politicians, recalling Makinde’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election and the votes the President secured in Oyo State.
Asked about the possible reason for the distance between them, the governor said he could only speculate that it might be connected to rumours that he was considering challenging Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“Well, I can only hazard a guess. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, she may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he said.
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The comments come months after the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were released following 56 days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked schools in the area.
The Nigerian Army subsequently announced their rescue on July 10 following a security operation involving multiple agencies.
Despite his revelation about the President’s lack of communication during the crisis, Makinde had publicly expressed appreciation to Tinubu and security agencies after the victims regained their freedom, describing their release as a major relief.