By Ayobami Okerinde

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde told him President Bola Tinubu had not contacted him more than 50 days after the abduction of schoolchildren in the state, describing the development as evidence of a worsening leadership crisis.

In a post on X on Monday titled “Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident”, Obi criticised the president’s handling of insecurity, accusing the administration of lacking compassion and capacity.

Obi said he had publicly appealed twice to the kidnappers to release the children and had also spoken with Governor Makinde twice to express solidarity, describing the incident as “a Nigerian tragedy” rather than an Oyo State problem.

He wrote, “The government and people of Oyo State, more than 50 days after the abduction of the schoolchildren without any tangible effort toward their rescue, should rightly feel bitter and abandoned.

“Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children. I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy.”

The former Anambra State governor said that on Friday, July 3, he visited Ibadan alongside economist Prof. Pat Utomi to meet with Makinde and discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Obi said he shared his experience of managing insecurity while serving as governor of Anambra State, recalling that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan regularly contacted governors whenever major security challenges arose.

He said he was surprised to learn from Makinde that the Oyo governor had not received a single phone call from President Tinubu since the schoolchildren were abducted.

“But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu,” Obi wrote.

Drawing a comparison with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Obi recalled that Tinubu was among those who criticised then-President Goodluck Jonathan for taking more than two weeks to contact the affected state governor.

“I vividly recall that the current president, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor. That call for IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION should actually be the case in this matter,” he wrote.

“Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days (over 7 weeks). This is outrageous. I suspect the same may also have been the case in other school kidnapping incidents.”

“I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country. It is now an indisputable fact that governance has completely collapsed under this administration.”

He concluded by calling on the president to either resign or decline to seek a second term in office.

Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the president should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political,” Obi said.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has said that several politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 lack the vision necessary to drive meaningful national transformation.

Hamzat made the remarks on Sunday while addressing members of the APC State Chairmen’s Forum during their visit to major infrastructure projects across Lagos State.

The forum members also paid a courtesy visit to the deputy governor at his residence in Ikoyi.

Speaking on criticisms directed at President Tinubu by some presidential aspirants, Hamzat maintained that many of those seeking leadership positions do not possess the foresight required to govern effectively.

“Many who want to lead do not have vision. We are grateful to have leaders with foresight. Many people could not see what Asiwaju Tinubu envisioned years ago,” he said.

Hamzat described Tinubu as a leader who encourages inclusiveness, innovation and intellectual contributions, regardless of who presents the ideas.

“Before the President, nobody is too small. Once your idea is better, it takes precedence, even above the President’s own. He gives room for ideas to grow,” he added.

The deputy governor noted that Tinubu’s decision to establish specialised agencies during his administration was informed by his belief that dedicated institutions could achieve more effective results than traditional ministries.

According to him, several transformative projects currently shaping Lagos and Nigeria are products of Tinubu’s long-term vision and strategic planning.

Hamzat cited projects such as the rail transport system, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Eko Atlantic City, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway as examples of initiatives conceived through visionary leadership.

“These projects are not merely for transportation; they are meant to industrialise the country and connect Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that improved infrastructure and transportation networks would enhance trade, deepen national unity and stimulate long-term economic growth.

Hamzat further stated that Tinubu’s capacity to attract both domestic and international investors stems from his developmental vision and consistent economic policies.

He also urged APC state chairmen to maintain close working relationships with their respective governors, stressing their importance within the party structure.

“It is important that we continue to strengthen our party,” he said.

The deputy governor equally advised elected public office holders to recognise the significance of political parties in democratic governance and draw lessons from established democracies around the world.

“We must ensure that every elected official understands the importance and value of the party.

“As a nation, we must continue working towards building this country. We cannot afford to fail our people,” he said.

Hamzat also charged leaders at all levels of government to remain transparent and accountable, reminding them that they would ultimately answer to God for their stewardship.

The Ansar-u-Deen Society in Osun State has reaffirmed its non-partisan position while receiving the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The assurance was given during a meeting between the society’s leadership and the APC candidate in Osogbo on Sunday, where both electoral participation and peaceful conduct before, during and after the poll featured prominently.

Speaking at the gathering, the Secretary of the Ansar-u-Deen Society in Osun State, Hafiz Akande, said the organisation remained politically neutral despite supporting members who aspire to public office.

Akande stated, “Let me state clearly that as a corporate body, ADS remains non-partisan.

“However, the Society will never rebuke, sideline, or abandon our own who show an active interest in governance. The Society fully recognises the need to support our members who aspire to positions of authority.”

“We firmly believe that authority is a sacred trust (Amanah) from Allah, and no one attains it except by His divine permission. Therefore, it is a noble pursuit for our members to strive for leadership with sincerity and competence for the ultimate benefit of the wider society.”

Addressing the gathering, Oyebamiji appealed to eligible voters to protect the value of their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, by refusing to exchange their votes for financial inducements during the election.

He described the PVC as a constitutional instrument that enables citizens to determine those who govern them and urged residents to use it responsibly at the polls.

“The PVC is an instrument that confers the right on each person to have a say in deciding who leads or presides over their affairs for a stipulated period.

“I am appealing to our people not to commercialise their PVC but use it wisely to vote for someone who has the capacity and potential to lead appropriately,” Oyebamiji said.