Oyo Kidnappings May Have Been Used To Blackmail Tinubu — Fayose Alleges

Former Ayo Fayose has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the country’s current challenges, insisting that the president has done his best despite inheriting a difficult situation from the previous administration.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Fayose argued that Tinubu took over a nation already burdened by deep economic and security challenges and chose to confront the problems rather than distance himself from his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Fayose, the president deserves credit for remaining focused amid mounting criticism.

“The president has given his best,” he said, adding that some of the attacks currently directed at Tinubu resemble the criticism faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan during his administration.

The former governor also weighed in on the recent wave of kidnappings and insecurity in Oyo State, arguing that security should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of the federal government.

He noted that state governments have access to security votes and local security outfits, including Amotekun, which should be actively deployed to protect residents.

In a controversial remark, Fayose suggested that the recent abductions in Oyo State may have been influenced by political considerations.

“I have a strong belief, and I may be wrong, that this sometimes can be orchestrated. I can sometimes believe that this was orchestrated in a way, I’m not saying totally, by the government of Oyo State to blackmail President Tinubu in a way,” he stated.

Fayose further alleged that the Oyo State government did not respond swiftly enough to the incidents and only became visibly active after political nomination activities had been concluded.

While acknowledging the pain and trauma caused by the abductions, he maintained that security challenges across the country should not automatically be blamed on the federal government alone.