Actor Seyi Awolowo criticises Tinubu, other politicians for politicking while Oyo schoolchildren, staff remain in captivity

Actor and BBNaija Star, Seyi Awolowo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and other politicians across the country for failing to rescue the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a video on Tuesday, Mr Awolowo lashed out at Mr Tinubu and other politicians for preoccupying themselves with political activities instead of making efforts to rescue the victims.
He said, “Mr President, this is not how it’s supposed to go. You have finally got to the seat of power, one that you confidently criticised. Now I can hear you and your people saying they are trying to humiliate your regime. No, this is a failure. Instead of you to tell you how this can be done, you’re busy doing politics and bureaucracy for the people.
“The political class doesn’t even think they are lazy, wicked individuals. Just because you’re guarded, I can’t imagine the situation happening to my own children. You’re so stupid and don’t realise the circle of doom you’re creating just because you want power through wicked means.”
The actor, who expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of the victims, decried killings and kidnappings across the country, accusing the government of depriving the suffering masses of their right to defend themselves.
He added, “I am doing this because I am a parent. So this thing hits different. What if it’s me in this case? How am I going to act or react? The past few days were meant to be festivities. But the video of a parent or a guardian appealing for help broke me. Watching the beheading of a parent was sad.
“Every state where insecurity is transpiring is a failure. To every one of you campaigning, you’re a failure. It seems these killings and kidnappings are systemic. From the previous regime, you took away the right of people to defend themselves. What kind of common sense is that? You don’t want to defend us, and you say defending ourselves is a crime.”
He also condemned his friends for campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections rather than holding the government to account.
“And to all those my friends campaigning, it shall never be well with you. If I see you campaigning and you don’t have the effrontery or the self-human discipline and respect to say the truth now so that the right thing can be done, it cannot be well with you,” he stated.
Recall that gunmen stormed communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 and abducted teachers and pupils from three schools.
The gunmen killed a teacher and one other person before leaving the scene of the abduction.
They also beheaded one of the abducted teachers and shared the video online.
The incident has stirred outrage from Nigerians.
On Monday, residents of Ibadan staged a protest at the Mokola Roundabout, demanding the safe return of hostages.
Irate youths, in a recent video, also threatened to stage a protest and block all access roads to Ogbomoso if the victims are not safely rescued by the weekend.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Abeokuta man arrested, arraigned for stealing
A 28-year-old man, Ajayi Babatunde, was brought before the Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo on Wednesday for assault and stealing.

States
Bill banning same-sex marriage in Cross River passes second reading
The Cross River House of Assembly on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage and civil unions.

World
Heat Wave: Women oppose Japan’s casual office attire for men campaign, say it’s ‘leg hair harassment’
Four months into the campaign, the new short policy has been generating mixed reactions.

Education
Interviews for candidates begin as UI shops for new vice-chancellor
The successful candidate will succeed the incumbent vice-chancellor, Kayode Adebowale, whose tenure is expected to end on October 31, 2026.

World
Outcry as black British woman who reported rape in Hong Kong bags six-year jail term
The judge noted that Mr X had been “nothing but kind to the defendant,” adding that Ms Rose took advantage of his “kindness, naivety, friendship and romantic interest.”

World
Bus fares in England to be capped at £2 from January, says UK PM
Mr Burnham said the policy is necessary to ease out people’s cost of living and give them a breathing space.





