’President of One State’: Makinde Was Unaware Oriire Victims Had Been Rescued When He Made Unfounded Presidential Ambition Claim – Sharafadeen Alli
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde was unaware that the victims of the Oriire abduction had already been rescued when he made comments linking the incident to his presidential ambition.
Alli described the governor’s remarks as unfounded, questioning what he intended to insinuate with the statement.
Alli made the remarks on Monday during “A Day with BSA,” a media parley held at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, where he unveiled his political and governance vision ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking on the Oriire abduction, the APC governorship candidate said his thoughts remained with the victims and their families, stressing that they should not be forgotten despite their rescue.
”We care for the Oriire victims. Governor Makinde didn’t even know the victims had been rescued when he made the assertion that after declaring his ambition, the children were kidnapped. What exactly was he insinuating? Just because he wants to be the president — the president of one state,” Alli said.
He further stated that Governor Makinde was deliberately excluded from the rescue operation because of the sensitive nature of the mission and ongoing investigations.
”Seyi Makinde wasn’t aware when the Oriire kids were rescued. He was planned out of the operation because there were many suspects and accomplices. There are many suspects and accomplices we don’t want to mention at this stage,” he stated.
Alli commended the Federal Government and security agencies for what he described as their proactive response, saying their coordinated efforts were instrumental in securing the freedom of the victims.
He also disclosed that the Senate had approved ₦50 million for the rescued victims, saying the intervention was aimed at supporting their recovery and ensuring they were not forgotten after the traumatic ordeal.
”The Federal Government was proactive, just as the security agencies were. The Senate has approved ₦50 million for the victims so they will not be forgotten,” Alli added.
The APC governorship candidate also used the media parley to present his vision for Oyo State, outlining his plans on security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development before journalists, political stakeholders and party supporters in attendance.
Recall that governor Seyi Makinde had called in independent bodies such as the UN and other human rights bodies to investigate the Oriire Abduction incident and made their findings known to the world.
’President of One State’: Makinde Was Unaware Oriire Victims Had Been Rescued When He Made Unfounded Presidential Ambition Claim – Sharafadeen Alli
Byadmin
Jul 28, 2026