A public commentator and political party leaders have rallied behind Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s demand for a United Nations investigation into the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in the state, citing a striking precedent from Nigeria’s political history.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the APM, Abubakar Yusuf, alongside other party chieftains, argued that calls for independent scrutiny in cases of grave security incidents are neither novel nor unpatriotic.
They drew direct parallels to April 2013, when the then-opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)—now a major constituent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—publicly urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Baga killings in Borno State, alleging crimes against humanity against the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“At the time, that demand was framed as a legitimate quest for accountability and justice, not as an act of disloyalty to Nigeria,” the analysts noted. “Thirteen years on, the same logic is being dismissed as a disservice to the nation—a contradiction that raises uncomfortable questions about consistency and political convenience.”
Principle Over Partisanship
The group insisted that Governor Makinde’s position does not undermine national sovereignty; rather, it enhances the integrity and transparency of governance by subjecting serious allegations to impartial fact-finding.
“One recurring debate in Nigeria is whether political leaders are justified in seeking independent investigations into security operations during insurgency or internal conflict,” they observed. “Makinde’s critics argue such moves project a negative image, but Nigeria’s own political history proves otherwise.”
They recalled that in 2013, the ACN explicitly held the Jonathan administration responsible for civilian deaths in Baga and described the incident as warranting international attention. That stance was then presented as a democratic imperative, not an affront to the state.
A Call for Consistency
“The principle advanced in 2013 was straightforward: where credible allegations of state abuse exist, an impartial investigation can establish truth and bolster public confidence,” the statement continued. “Makinde’s request follows that same principle. It does not presuppose guilt, nor does it invite foreign interference for political ends. If the authorities acted lawfully, an independent probe would confirm that; if errors or abuses occurred, it provides a pathway to accountability.”
The analysts stressed that democratic values must not shift with the political pendulum. “If it was acceptable in 2013 to demand an ICC investigation into the Jonathan administration, it is difficult to argue that requesting an independent inquiry today is inherently improper simply because a different government holds office.”
They concluded that independent investigations are not designed to weaken governments but to strengthen public institutions and reinforce credibility. “Democracies thrive when allegations are tested through transparent processes, not dismissed on partisan grounds. Whether under Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, or any future leader, the standard must remain unchanged: serious allegations involving the loss of innocent lives deserve a credible, impartial, and transparent investigation.”
