A United Kingdom-based Nigerian journalist, Ayodele Oluwasemilore Oyedokun, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as the administration’s failure to prioritise security and governance amid rising insecurity in the country.

Oyedokun, who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State, accused the President of focusing more on political activities while remaining silent on critical national security concerns, particularly the recent abduction of teachers and schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the journalist expressed disappointment over the Presidency’s reaction to the incident, lamenting that neither President Tinubu nor his media team had publicly addressed the kidnapping days after it occurred.

According to him, the President’s silence on the tragic development portrays insensitivity and a lack of empathy expected from a national leader during moments of crisis.

He stated that while families of the abducted victims were still in distress and seeking urgent government intervention, the President was reportedly engaged in political meetings and consultations.

“One issue I have with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is that he prioritizes politics over governance. He has displayed that many times,” Oyedokun wrote.

The journalist said he watched the press conference addressed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, after a security meeting with service commanders and heads of security agencies following the abduction in Oriire Local Government.

He noted that Governor Makinde confirmed that one person was killed, while seven teachers and an unspecified number of students were abducted during the attack.

Oyedokun said the emotional videos of elderly relatives and community members crying and pleading for the safe return of their loved ones were heartbreaking and demanded urgent federal attention.

“We are talking about young children. I couldn’t stand watching the video of the elderly people crying and begging for their relatives’ release,” he said.

He further faulted the Presidency for allegedly failing to issue even a sympathy statement three days after the incident, describing the development as disturbing.

The journalist also took a swipe at the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accusing him of promoting political narratives at a time when Nigerians expected leadership and reassurance from the government over worsening insecurity.

According to Oyedokun, instead of addressing the kidnapping crisis, the presidential spokesman allegedly shared political commentaries relating to the 2027 elections and Oyo State politics.

He equally criticised President Tinubu for reportedly hosting political stakeholders, including former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, while security concerns continued to dominate public discourse across the country.

“Instead of the President visiting, or inviting Governor Seyi Makinde to Abuja for a briefing, he chose to host political figures over Ogun State politics,” he stated.

Oyedokun maintained that effective leadership requires compassion, responsiveness and sensitivity, especially during periods of national emergencies.

“I’m not sorry to say: We don’t have a sensitive, empathetic and responsive leader, and these are important qualities of a good leader,” he added.

The journalist further lamented that insecurity has continued to pose a major challenge in Nigeria, stressing that political considerations should never overshadow the safety and welfare of citizens.

His comments have since generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over the growing spate of kidnappings and attacks on schools across different parts of the country.

A member of the House of Representatives and aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, Hon. Akinlayo Davidson Kolawole, has rejected the results announced for the exercise, describing them as inconsistent with the wishes of party delegates and supporters.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Special Duty, Kunle Adetifa, the lawmaker said the outcome declared by the Returning Officer did not reflect the true votes cast during the primary election.

Kolawole alleged that the process fell short of the standards of transparency, fairness and due process expected in a credible party primary, insisting that the announced results failed to represent the actual will of delegates across the constituency.

The federal lawmaker maintained that his aspiration enjoyed massive grassroots support throughout Ekiti North Federal Constituency II and expressed confidence that a transparent collation process would have affirmed the mandate given to him by party faithful.

He called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and relevant electoral authorities to intervene by reviewing the conduct of the primary election and ensuring that the authentic outcome of the exercise is upheld in accordance with party guidelines and democratic principles.

Kolawole also appealed to his supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that all legitimate and lawful measures would be pursued to protect their mandate and preserve the integrity of the electoral process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives Election Committee has announced the results of the party’s just-concluded primary elections in Ekiti State, declaring that the National Working Committee (NWC) will determine the final outcome of the disputed Ekiti North Federal Constituency I primary.

Chairman of the election committee and returning officer, Asipa Adedoyin Wasiu Banjo, said the primary election in the Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency was disrupted by crises beyond the control of the committee.

According to him, the issues that emerged during the exercise were beyond the powers of the committee to resolve, adding that there was no provision for a rerun under the party’s constitution.

Banjo explained that the APC National Working Committee would review the situation and determine the final outcome of the Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency House of Representatives primary election.

The election was keenly contested between former House of Representatives member Bimbo Daramola and incumbent lawmaker Akin Rotimi. Controversy, however, trailed the exercise after one of the aspirants was alleged to have announced himself winner in the media while the electoral process was still ongoing.

Another aspirant in the constituency, Kemi Elebute-Halle, also alleged in a viral video that some of her supporters were prevented from participating in the exercise, particularly in Ward 10, Ikole-Ekiti.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Oladapo Karounwi, emerged winner of the APC primary for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II. Karounwi defeated incumbent House of Representatives member, Biodun Omoleye, polling 6,573 votes against Omoleye’s 1,412 votes.

In Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Toyin Okoro defeated serving lawmaker Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo to secure the party’s ticket.

Also, Oluwafemi Bamisile won the APC ticket for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, paving the way for a third-term bid in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, former House of Representatives member Ibrahim Olarewaju defeated Akinlayo Kolawole to clinch the APC ticket for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.

In Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Olusola Fatoba also secured the party’s ticket for a third-term ambition.