The successful rescue of 49 abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State has ignited a fresh war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State over the handling of insecurity.
The disagreement comes amid lingering concerns over the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where scores of residents were reportedly killed and many others abducted.
While the PDP argued that the rescue operation in Oyo highlighted the importance of visible leadership and sustained public engagement during security crises, the APC maintained that security operations are intelligence-driven and should not be judged by media appearances or public commentary.
The opposition party praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for remaining actively engaged throughout the rescue efforts, insisting that Kwara should adopt a similar approach in responding to insecurity.
According to the PDP, democratic leadership requires openness, accountability and consistent communication with citizens, especially during periods of crisis.
The party alleged that the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration had not demonstrated the same level of urgency in addressing the plight of victims abducted during the Woro attack.
However, the APC dismissed the criticism as politically motivated, insisting that the Kwara State Government had consistently strengthened security through logistics support, intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies.
The ruling party argued that successful rescue operations often rely on confidentiality and operational secrecy, warning that excessive public commentary could undermine security efforts.
It also pointed to recent deployment of additional federal security assets to the state as evidence of the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity.
The exchange underscores the growing significance of security as a political issue ahead of the 2027 elections, with both parties advancing contrasting views on the appropriate balance between public accountability and operational discretion.
Despite the political exchanges, families of victims still in captivity have continued to urge authorities to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of their loved ones, insisting that tangible results remain more important than partisan arguments.
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