The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the safe release of 49 schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, praising the swift and decisive response of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
PDP Commends Oyo’s Rescue Efforts
In a statement signed by State Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party described the operation as a product of sustained citizen engagement, relentless media pressure, and responsive leadership. It noted that Governor Makinde treated public criticism not as an affront but as a catalyst to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.
Kwara PDP Highlights Government Failures
The PDP contrasted the Oyo success with the dire situation in Kwara State, accusing Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of failing to prioritise the rescue of 176 pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children seized during the February 3, 2026 terrorist attack on Woro community. That assault also claimed nearly 200 lives.
According to the party, the governor’s perceived indifference extends beyond the Woro tragedy to numerous other kidnapping and bandit incidents across Kwara, leaving affected communities feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
Stark Difference in Leadership Styles
The statement emphasised that the Oyo rescue succeeded because Governor Makinde made the crisis his top priority, cooperated closely with federal authorities and security agencies, and welcomed public input. In contrast, the Kwara administration has allegedly responded to critics with hostility, using state institutions to silence dissent.
The PDP recalled an incident where elderly women from Ifelodun, protesting peacefully for the release of their kidnapped relatives, were assaulted in front of the Government House in Ilorin while security personnel looked on. Meanwhile, in Oyo, when activists led by VeryDarkMan took to the streets, Governor Makinde joined them, explained government efforts, and reassured protesters.
Call for Immediate Action
The party urges Governor Abdulrazaq to treat the Oyo development as a wake‑up call and to secure the release of the Woro hostages without further delay. It also calls on journalists, civil society groups, academics, and all Kwara citizens to demand accountability and press for the rescue of the 179 individuals still held in bandit camps.
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