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.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has concluded its senatorial primary elections in Ekiti State, with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi and Senator Yemi Adaramodu emerging candidates for Ekiti Central, Ekiti North and Ekiti South Senatorial Districts respectively.

Announcing the results in Ado Ekiti on Monday night, the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Chief Returning Officer, Asipa Wasiu Adedoyin, declared Senetor Opeyemi Bamidele winner of the Ekiti Central Senatorial District primary election having contested alone and polled 29,586 votes.

For Ekiti North Senatorial District, the committee declared incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi winner after polling 14,179 votes to defeat a former Member of the Senate, Senator Ayo Arise, who scored 4,868 votes and Engr Bamisaye Oladipupo who polled 3,694 in the keenly contested exercise

Similarly, in Ekiti South Senatorial District primary, Senator Yemi Adaramodu secured 12,200 votes to emerge winner, defeating a former National Assembly member, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who polled 7,420 votes and Hon Bamidele Faparusi who polled 5,502 votes.

Adedoyin commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the three senatorial districts, describing the process as transparent and in line with the guidelines of the party.

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.