By Our Reporter
A public affairs commentator, media analyst, and National Publicity Secretary of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Abubakar Yusuf, alongside leaders of other political parties, has defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-backed independent probe into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent release of teachers and pupils in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the political leaders argued that Governor Makinde’s position is consistent with an earlier stance taken by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now a major constituent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They recalled that following the 2013 Baga killings in Borno State, the then National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC), contending that the killings amounted to crimes against humanity. According to them, the demand was widely presented at the time as a legitimate call for accountability and justice rather than an act of disloyalty to Nigeria.
The group noted that thirteen years later, a similar call by opposition figures is now being condemned as unpatriotic, describing the differing reactions as evidence of political inconsistency.
According to the statement, Governor Makinde’s position, supported by several stakeholders, does not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty but instead promotes transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the country’s institutions.
The statement read in part:
“One of the recurring debates in Nigeria is whether political leaders are justified in demanding an independent investigation whenever serious allegations arise from security operations during periods of insurgency or internal conflict.
“Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent call for an independent investigation has attracted criticism from some quarters, with suggestions that such a demand undermines the government or portrays the country negatively. However, Nigeria’s own political history shows that this position is neither unusual nor unprecedented.
“In April 2013, following the Baga killings in Borno State, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the major opposition parties at the time and a principal constituent of today’s APC, publicly held the Jonathan administration responsible for failing to prevent the deaths of civilians.
“More significantly, the party described the incident as one warranting international attention and called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arguing that the killings could amount to crimes against humanity. At the time, this was presented as a legitimate demand for accountability and justice rather than an act of disloyalty to Nigeria.
“This historical context is important because it demonstrates that seeking an independent investigation into serious allegations involving the loss of civilian lives has previously been embraced by many of the same political actors who now oppose similar calls.
“The principle advanced then was straightforward: where there are credible allegations of abuse by state institutions, an investigation conducted by a body perceived to be impartial can help establish the truth and strengthen public confidence in the outcome.
“Governor Makinde’s position follows the same broad principle. Calling for an independent investigation does not automatically imply that the government or security agencies are guilty, nor does it amount to inviting foreign interference for political reasons.
“Rather, it reflects the view that when incidents generate significant public concern, transparency and impartial fact-finding are often the best means of resolving competing narratives. If the authorities acted lawfully, an independent investigation would reinforce that conclusion. If mistakes or abuses occurred, it would provide a credible basis for accountability.
“The broader issue is one of consistency. Democratic principles should not depend on which political party occupies power. If it was considered acceptable in 2013 to demand an international investigation into allegations against the Jonathan administration, it is difficult to argue that requesting an independent investigation today is inherently improper simply because a different government is in office.
“Citizens are entitled to question whether the standard being applied is based on principle or political convenience.
“Ultimately, independent investigations are not intended to weaken governments; they are designed to strengthen the credibility of public institutions.
“Democracies function best when allegations are tested through transparent processes rather than dismissed because of political affiliations.
“Whether under Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, or any future administration, the standard should remain the same: serious allegations involving the loss of innocent lives deserve a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation.”
