Seyi Makinde

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Advanced Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s trip to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria, arguing that the country’s leaders can offer prayers without travelling abroad.

Makinde said prayers for Nigeria could be offered within the country, insisting that there was no need for the President to travel to Saudi Arabia for that purpose.

The governor made the remarks while reacting to reports of Tinubu’s journey, saying Nigerian leaders should remain in the country and share in the challenges facing citizens.

“I read on social media that our President is travelling to Saudi Arabia to pray for Nigeria. Prayers are answered even in this country. We will stay here and pray for our country and leaders,” Makinde said.

He argued that leadership required being physically present with the people and understanding their difficulties rather than travelling abroad whenever the opportunity arose.

According to him, the President could pray for the country at the Presidential Villa, in churches, mosques or any other location within Nigeria, without necessarily going to Saudi Arabia.

Makinde also said his party, the APM, would not embark on foreign trips for prayers, maintaining that its members would remain with Nigerians while praying for the country and its leaders.

His comments come amid public concerns over Nigeria’s economic difficulties and insecurity, as well as recurring debates about foreign trips by political officeholders.

President Tinubu’s visit to Saudi Arabia has also attracted attention, with the trip reportedly including the performance of the lesser Hajj.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Wole Alamu, husband of Rachael Alamu, the abducted principal of a Community High School in Ogbomoso, has appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to step up efforts aimed at securing her release and that of other victims still in captivity.

Alamu made the appeal on Saturday when the governor visited families of victims affected by the abduction incident. He became emotional during the visit and was seen in tears while speaking about his wife’s ordeal.

Rachael Alamu was among teachers and students abducted on May 15 when armed men invaded three schools along the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Oriire Local Government Area in Ogbomoso. The attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles and took away dozens of pupils and staff from Community High School, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

During the attack, an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist were killed. Governor Makinde also disclosed that seven teachers were taken away, while one of them, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

In a video shared on Instagram on Friday, the abducted principal called on both federal and state authorities not to use force in any rescue operation, warning that such action could endanger lives. She also said the kidnappers threatened to kill another victim if security forces attempted a forceful rescue.

Speaking during the governor’s visit, Alamu expressed gratitude for the efforts so far but urged him not to slow down in the rescue operation.

“Our governor, we thank you because we know the efforts you have made since this incident happened. But please, don’t be weary in the rescue mission for our people in captivity,” he said.

He also described the emotional pain caused by the circulation of his wife’s video in captivity.

“My wife is the one being used to make the videos that are being circulated. It is very disheartening and depressing,” he said in Yoruba while kneeling and pleading with the governor.

Governor Makinde later embraced the distraught man as he broke down in tears.

The governor said he understood the pain of the families and assured them of ongoing efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

“All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because of security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release,” Makinde said.

The incident has added to growing concern over rising cases of abductions and attacks spreading into the South-West region.