Pressure Mounts on Governor Makinde as Senate, Fayose, APC, SANs Fault UN Probe Request

According to report by The Nation on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, fresh criticism has continued to trail Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde following his call for the United Nations and other international organisations to investigate the abduction and rescue of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The Senate, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, senior lawyers and the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) all rejected the governor’s proposal.

The Senate argued that Makinde’s remarks undermined the sacrifices of security personnel who risked their lives during the successful rescue operation.

Lawmakers instead praised President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the mission, describing it as evidence of improved security coordination.

The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to promptly pay benefits due to families of officers who lost their lives and sustain military operations against criminal groups.

Jimoh Ibrahim maintained that the UN has no authority to investigate domestic security incidents in member states.

He advised Makinde to apologise to the victims, focus on their rehabilitation and support affected families rather than seek foreign intervention.

Akume accused the governor of politicising a national security issue, insisting that President Tinubu concentrated on intelligence-driven efforts that secured the victims’ release instead of engaging in political distractions.

Former Governor Fayose also faulted Makinde’s position, saying the governor should face scrutiny over his handling of the incident rather than demand an international investigation.

He argued that constitutional immunity would not prevent future accountability.

Legal experts, including Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), agreed that the UN lacks jurisdiction over such cases, describing Makinde’s appeal as legally unfounded and politically motivated.

Similarly, the Oyo APC described the governor’s comments as embarrassing and misguided, accusing him of repeatedly politicising governance and urging him to account for several unresolved issues in the state instead of calling for an international probe.