The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West has criticised former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, over recent claims against Makinde following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. The party described Fayose’s allegation that Governor Seyi Makinde orchestrated the incident to embarrass President Bola Tinubu as reckless, insensitive, and politically dangerous.
The controversy followed a recent attack by gunmen in parts of Oyo State, where pupils and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. Speaking on a televised programme after the incident, Fayose questioned the response of the Oyo State Government and alleged that the abduction may have been orchestrated to blackmail the President.
The remarks generated reactions within the PDP, with the party’s South West chapter distancing itself from the comments and expressing support for the Oyo State Government.
In a statement titled “Fayose’s Hypocrisy Exposed”, Southwest PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, condemned the claims against Makinde, saying they were irresponsible and inflammatory.
“At a time when Nigerians are being killed, abducted and displaced by criminal elements across the country, it is both shameful and unfortunate that a former governor would seek to convert a national tragedy into a platform for political mischief,” Atofarati stated. The party urged Nigerians not to politicise security challenges and commended Governor Makinde’s response to insecurity in the state.
“The Southwest PDP urges Nigerians to reject attempts to weaponise insecurity for partisan advantage. We stand firmly with the government and people of Oyo State in this difficult moment and commend Governor Seyi Makinde’s unwavering commitment to the security and welfare of the people,” the statement added.
The PDP spokesman also accused Fayose of maintaining silence over security challenges in his home state of Ekiti. He referenced the attack on a church in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area, where a visiting pastor was killed and several worshippers abducted.
According to Atofarati, the community is located close to Fayose’s hometown of Afao-Ekiti, yet the former governor neither criticised the state government nor publicly demanded urgent action regarding the victims.
“Eda-Oniyo is barely 30 minutes away from Afao-Ekiti, Fayose’s hometown. Yet, he neither accused Governor Biodun Oyebanji of negligence nor demanded answers from the state government regarding the deteriorating security situation,” he said.
The Southwest PDP further questioned Fayose’s loyalty to the party, citing his public support for Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atofarati alleged that Fayose had openly campaigned for Oyebanji’s re-election and criticised what he described as contradictions between Fayose’s role as a PDP leader and his support for an APC administration.
“Beyond that, Fayose successfully fielded his own biological son under the APC platform and continues to work tirelessly for the electoral success of a party he claims not to belong to,” he said. The spokesman added that such actions undermine party loyalty and ideological consistency.
The dispute highlights growing tensions within the PDP in the South West ahead of future political contests. It also reflects broader debates over how political leaders respond to security incidents and whether such events should become subjects of partisan disagreements.
The party also called on former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to use his influence to encourage Fayose to refrain from actions that could weaken party cohesion.
