Sola Abegunde’s criticism of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, over his remarks on the Oriire abduction is unfortunately built on a fundamental misrepresentation of what was actually said.
At no point did the Speaker advocate abandoning rescue efforts, discontinuing engagement aimed at securing the victims’ release, or leaving affected families to their fate. His position was simple : the continuous payment of outrageous ransoms and the normalization of endless negotiations with kidnappers can embolden criminal elements and encourage further abductions.
Opposing the enrichment of kidnappers is not the same as opposing the rescue of victims. One can support every legitimate effort to secure the release of abducted persons while also warning against practices that make kidnapping a lucrative enterprise. Unfortunately, Mr. Abegunde failed to make this distinction and instead concluded that the Speaker was suggesting inaction.
Equally misleading is his attempt to portray the Oyo State Government as operating without collaboration with federal security agencies. Security operations in Oyo State involve federal institutions, including the military, police, and intelligence services. To suggest otherwise without evidence is speculative and irresponsible.
His criticism of the Oyo State House of Assembly also ignores the legislature’s consistent engagement with security matters through debates, resolutions, and advocacy for stronger measures to protect lives and property. Governance does not stop because of a security challenge, nor does attending to other legislative responsibilities amount to neglecting security concerns.
What is most disappointing is that a sensitive issue involving the lives of innocent schoolchildren and teachers was used as a platform for sensational conclusions rather than constructive engagement. Public discourse on security demands accuracy, context, and responsibility.
Many followers of public affairs in Oyo State will also recognize a recurring pattern in Mr. Abegunde’s commentaries, a tendency toward selective interpretation, faulty reasoning, and conclusions that often outrun the facts available. His latest intervention on the Oriire tragedy appears to follow that familiar path.
The safe return of the victims remains the priority of every responsible stakeholder. At a time like this, Oyo State needs clarity, unity, and support for ongoing efforts, not misrepresentation of comments that were clearly intended to discourage further empowerment of criminal elements.
The Speaker’s remarks were not a call for inaction. They were a warning against actions that could strengthen the very criminals responsible for the suffering of innocent citizens. That distinction is obvious to objective readers, even if it appears lost on Sola Abegunde.
Oyetunji Oyekunle is the Media Aide to the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly.
