Nigerian Analyst, Opposition Leaders Defend Makinde’s Call for UN Probe, Cite APC’s 2013 Position

A Nigerian political analyst and leaders of opposition political parties have defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the reported abduction and subsequent release of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, arguing that similar demands were previously made by political figures now aligned with Nigeria’s ruling party.

Abubakar Yusuf, a public affairs commentator, media analyst, and National Publicity Secretary of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said calls for an independent inquiry should not be interpreted as an attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty but as a legitimate effort to promote accountability, transparency, and public confidence in government institutions.

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In a statement released Sunday, Yusuf and other opposition leaders pointed to the 2013 Baga killings in northeastern Borno State, when the then-opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)—one of the parties that later merged to form the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—called for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to the statement, the ACN, through its then-National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, argued at the time that the deaths of civilians during the military operation in Baga warranted international scrutiny and could amount to crimes against humanity.

The opposition figures said that in 2013, such calls were widely presented as legitimate demands for justice and accountability rather than acts of disloyalty to Nigeria.

They argued that thirteen years later, similar calls for an independent investigation should be assessed using the same democratic principles rather than through partisan political considerations.

“One of the recurring debates in Nigeria is whether political leaders are justified in demanding an independent investigation whenever there are serious allegations arising from security operations during periods of insurgency or internal conflict,” the statement said.

The group maintained that Governor Makinde’s position reflects an internationally recognized principle that credible allegations involving civilian safety should be examined through transparent and impartial investigative processes.

According to the statement, requesting an independent investigation does not presume the guilt of government officials or security agencies but instead provides an opportunity to establish facts and strengthen public confidence in the findings.

The opposition leaders argued that where authorities acted lawfully, an independent review would reinforce public trust. Conversely, if misconduct occurred, an impartial investigation would provide a credible basis for accountability.

They also questioned what they described as inconsistent political standards, arguing that democratic values should apply equally regardless of which political party holds 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,” the statement said.

The commentators added that Nigerians are entitled to question whether objections to independent investigations are based on constitutional principles or political expediency.

They emphasized that independent inquiries are intended to strengthen—not weaken—democratic institutions by ensuring that allegations are examined through transparent legal processes rather than dismissed because of political affiliations.

The statement concluded by arguing that accountability should remain a consistent democratic standard under every administration, whether led by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, current President Bola Tinubu, or future governments.

According to the group, serious allegations involving the loss of civilian lives or major security incidents deserve impartial, transparent, and credible investigations capable of reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.

The comments come amid continuing political debate over the appropriate mechanisms for investigating allegations arising from security-related incidents and the role of international institutions in promoting accountability.

A Nigerian political analyst and leaders of opposition political parties have defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the reported abduction and subsequent release of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, arguing that similar demands were previously made by political figures now aligned with Nigeria’s ruling party.

Abubakar Yusuf, a public affairs commentator, media analyst, and National Publicity Secretary of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), said calls for an independent inquiry should not be interpreted as an attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty but as a legitimate effort to promote accountability, transparency, and public confidence in government institutions.

In a statement released Sunday, Yusuf and other opposition leaders pointed to the 2013 Baga killings in northeastern Borno State, when the then-opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)—one of the parties that later merged to form the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—called for an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to the statement, the ACN, through its then-National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, argued at the time that the deaths of civilians during the military operation in Baga warranted international scrutiny and could amount to crimes against humanity.

The opposition figures said that in 2013, such calls were widely presented as legitimate demands for justice and accountability rather than acts of disloyalty to Nigeria.

They argued that thirteen years later, similar calls for an independent investigation should be assessed using the same democratic principles rather than through partisan political considerations.

“One of the recurring debates in Nigeria is whether political leaders are justified in demanding an independent investigation whenever there are serious allegations arising from security operations during periods of insurgency or internal conflict,” the statement said.

The group maintained that Governor Makinde’s position reflects an internationally recognized principle that credible allegations involving civilian safety should be examined through transparent and impartial investigative processes.

According to the statement, requesting an independent investigation does not presume the guilt of government officials or security agencies but instead provides an opportunity to establish facts and strengthen public confidence in the findings.

The opposition leaders argued that where authorities acted lawfully, an independent review would reinforce public trust. Conversely, if misconduct occurred, an impartial investigation would provide a credible basis for accountability.

http://Oyo Assembly Backs Makinde’s Call for UN Probe on Abduction https://share.google/K1sfPTdq1vQ80Fdm0

They also questioned what they described as inconsistent political standards, arguing that democratic values should apply equally regardless of which political party holds 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,” the statement said.

The commentators added that Nigerians are entitled to question whether objections to independent investigations are based on constitutional principles or political expediency.

They emphasized that independent inquiries are intended to strengthen—not weaken—democratic institutions by ensuring that allegations are examined through transparent legal processes rather than dismissed because of political affiliations.

The statement concluded by arguing that accountability should remain a consistent democratic standard under every administration, whether led by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, current President Bola Tinubu, or future governments.

According to the group, serious allegations involving the loss of civilian lives or major security incidents deserve impartial, transparent, and credible investigations capable of reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s institutions.

The comments come amid continuing political debate over the appropriate mechanisms for investigating allegations arising from security-related incidents and the role of international institutions in promoting accountability.