Yoruba Union Alleges Tinubu’s APC Presidential Ticket Was ‘Manufactured In Hotel Rooms,’ Says President More Focused On 2027 Re-Election Than Nigerians’ Lives

Ikeja,  Lagos State– The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Yoruba Union Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of paying more attention to his 2027 re-election ambitions than addressing the worsening insecurity and mass abductions ravaging communities across Nigeria.

The union stated that while many Nigerians remain in the captivity of terrorists and kidnappers, the President appeared more concerned about political calculations ahead of the next general election.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Convener of the union, Olusola Badero, and signed by the organisation’s Home Director, Princess Balogun, the group claimed that Tinubu’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was orchestrated by party officials.

The union said that “an accumulated number of votes were written for him in a hotel room by APC officials,” adding that the President was celebrating political victories while citizens continued to suffer under insecurity and economic hardship.

According to the statement, “Those who voted for Tinubu in 2023 are today under terrorists’ captivity, crying day and night to be released, but instead of focusing on saving lives, Tinubu only cares about the 2027 election.”

The group urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid ethnic or religious sentiments while making political decisions ahead of future elections.

“The suffering and hardship facing Nigerians today show clearly that Tinubu does not care about the people. What matters to him is how to accumulate votes for himself ahead of 2027,” the union said.

The organisation further condemned the Federal Government’s failure to respond decisively to rising insecurity, especially in rural communities where attacks on schools and abductions have become rampant.

“Instead of Tinubu being concerned about the deteriorating insecurity in the country, he has carelessly ignored the cries of Nigerians while concentrating on his personal ambition to win the 2027 elections,” the statement added.

The group referenced recent attacks in Oyo State, stating that terrorists abducted 39 students and seven teachers, including a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun, who was slaughtered during coordinated attacks on schools in Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire District of Oyo State.

According to the union, a female principal was also abducted during the attacks.

The statement further criticised the President for allegedly failing to visit or sympathise with the family of the slain teacher.

“Tinubu, who was supposed to go to Oyo State to commiserate with the family of Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by terrorists, was instead seen smiling over his victory in a primary election written for him in a hotel room,” the union alleged.

The organisation insisted that it was not discouraging Nigerians from participating in elections, but urged citizens to vote based on competence and compassion rather than sentiment.

“We are not discouraging anyone from voting, but we are calling on Nigerians whose lives truly matter to avoid sentiment and vote for people they genuinely believe will wipe away their tears, not leaders who lie to them and abandon them when they need help,” Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said.

The union also claimed that more than 2,000 Nigerians remain in terrorists’ captivity across different parts of the country, alleging that billions of naira had been paid as ransom under the Tinubu administration without bringing an end to kidnappings and attacks.

It further accused the government of rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant terrorists into communities that had suffered violence and destruction.

“We know that over 2,000 people are still in the captivity of terrorists. Billions of naira have been paid as ransom under Tinubu’s government, yet terrorists continue to perpetrate attacks because the government has chosen to rehabilitate and reintegrate them back into the same society they destroyed,” the group said.

The Yoruba Union also listed several ongoing kidnapping cases, including that of a traditional ruler in Kwara State.

“As we speak, the Oba of Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State is still with terrorists since April this year. Over 176 children and women from Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State are also still in captivity, while more than 416 women and children remain with Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State,” thy said.

The group warned that the continued attacks on schools and communities had once again exposed the worsening security situation across Nigeria, especially in rural areas where educational institutions have become vulnerable targets for armed groups and insurgents.

“For years, mass abductions of Yoruba people have continued to plague the South-West, including Yoruba-speaking areas, Kwara South, Kogi communities such as Yagba and Kabba, while attacks have gradually spread across other regions of the country,” the union said.

The organisation noted that despite repeated assurances by the Tinubu administration and security agencies that efforts were being intensified to combat insecurity, many Nigerians remained frustrated by the growing wave of kidnappings, killings and attacks on schools and communities nationwide.

The union urged Nigerians not to trade their conscience and the future of their children for temporary political inducements.

“Nigerians should not sell their conscience and the future of their children because of a cup of rice or N1,000. They should remember that Tinubu’s government does not truly care about those kidnapped by terrorists. Whenever massive abductions take place, the government only releases statements without meaningful action,” Yoruba Union added.