The Allied People’s Movement has thrown its weight behind Oyo State Governor and the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, following criticism of his call for an international investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the party said Makinde’s proposal was aimed at uncovering the truth behind the incident and enhancing Nigeria’s cooperation with global partners in combating terrorism, rather than weakening the country’s sovereignty.
The governor made the call on Monday while officially assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. Makinde said Nigerians deserved a full account of the circumstances surrounding the attack.
He explained that his appeal for international scrutiny, particularly by the United Nations, was intended to promote accountability and transparency, not to undermine Nigerian institutions.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, after armed men invaded three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.
Makinde’s demand has continued to generate debate across the country. While some Nigerians welcomed the proposal, the Senate on Tuesday warned the governor against making statements it said could weaken the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in addressing terrorism and kidnapping.
Responding to the criticism, the APM argued that President Bola Tinubu had previously sought international assistance in tackling 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.
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“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 APM 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 officeholders, including members of the National Assembly and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to back Makinde’s call for an investigation instead of criticising 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.