Senator Adams Oshiomhole has rejected Governor Seyi Makinde's call for the United Nations to investigate the abduction and rescue of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Oshiomhole represents Edo North Senatorial District.
Makinde had made the request during a statewide broadcast on Monday, shortly after the Nigerian military handed over the rescued victims to him. The governor argued the incident raised questions requiring independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria's domestic institutions.
Oshiomhole fired back during Tuesday's Senate plenary, asking Makinde to stop demanding a UN probe. He insisted Nigeria is a sovereign nation that doesn't need foreign authorities to investigate such matters.
The senator accused the governor of pushing partisan politics to dangerous limits. According to him, Makinde's stance diminishes the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and security operatives who rescued the victims.
"The Oyo State governor calling on the United Nations to investigate the viral circumstances surrounding the abduction and even the rescue. I thought that was the most unstatesmanlike," Oshiomhole said.
He added: "He carries partisan politics too far, and this Senate should condemn his unguided statement." The lawmaker stressed that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation capable of handling its security challenges.
Oshiomhole highlighted previous successful rescue operations where the armed forces recovered abducted children and teachers without paying ransoms. He said the governor's position undermines these achievements.
"To trivialize it, as the governor of Oyo State seems to have done, downplays the achievement of the Commander in Chief and all those involved in the rescue operation processes," he noted.
The senator called on the upper chamber to condemn what he termed Makinde's "unguided statement." He urged the governor to appreciate the security operatives' work rather than casting doubt on their efforts through international complaints.
