The Allied People’s Movement has defended Oyo State Governor and its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, over his call for an international investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state, saying the move would help establish the truth and strengthen efforts to combat terrorism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the party said Makinde’s call would deepen Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners in the fight against terrorism rather than undermine the country’s sovereignty.
On Monday, while formally taking charge of the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 rescued teachers and pupils after their 56-day captivity, Makinde said Nigerians deserved a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
The governor clarified that his call for international scrutiny, particularly by the United Nations, was intended to promote accountability and transparency, not to undermine Nigerian institutions.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, taking away 39 pupils and six teachers.
Makinde’s demand for an international investigation has generated mixed reactions. While some Nigerians supported the move, the Senate on Tuesday cautioned the governor against making comments it said could undermine the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling terrorism and kidnapping.
Reacting, the APM argued that President Bola Tinubu had previously sought international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
The party said, “The outburst by leaders of the All Progressives Congress, including top government officials and APC senators, following the call by our presidential candidate and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for an international investigation to unravel the truth surrounding the kidnap of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State, raises suspicion of complicity in very high places.
“The APM invites Nigerians to note that only those unquieted by guilt and complicity, for which they are afraid of a probe, will become panicky, irrational and desperate to suppress the truth by speaking against genuine efforts to unravel the facts.
“Governor Makinde’s demand for an international probe into this act of terrorism against Nigerians did not undermine the sovereignty of our nation as claimed by APC leaders. Rather, it reinforces our sovereignty in the global arena by strengthening Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners in the fight against terrorism, which is an international crime against humanity.
“Our presidential candidate was clear and unambiguous in his call for truth. Such a call for external intervention is not new in our collaborative synergy with international bodies in the fight against terrorism.”
The party also alleged that some APC leaders had questions to answer over alleged links between politicians and bandits.
It said, “Nigerians can recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, in various international fora, including the United Nations General Assembly, called for international collaboration in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, especially in the areas of aid, intelligence gathering and sharing.
“Particularly, in June 2024, President Tinubu, in a meeting with officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, also called for such collaboration from this foreign crime investigation body.
“Nigerians now wonder why APC leaders, if indeed they have nothing to hide, will suddenly become frenetic, agitated and sleepless because Governor Makinde is demanding the truth, a demand which is resonating with all Nigerians of good conscience across the country.”
The party further claimed that APC leaders “perhaps… have something to tell Nigerians regarding their party’s reported connection with bandits,” citing what it described as an earlier confession by a former APC leader that terrorist elements were imported from neighbouring countries as political mercenaries before the 2015 general elections.
The APM urged political leaders, including members of the National Assembly and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to support Makinde’s call for the truth rather than criticise him.
“The APM, as the party of Nigerians, stands firmly with our presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, in his demand for truth in the interest of the security and safety of over 200 million citizens of our country.
“The APM again commends our security agencies for their gallantry and professionalism in the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and the fight against terrorism in the country generally. Our party salutes the patriotism of our men and women in uniform and charges them to remain focused in their commitment to the security of lives and property in our nation,” the statement added.
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