Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu neither called nor reached out to him during the 56-day ordeal involving the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state.

Makinde made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Friday, where he spoke about his relationship with the President, despite having supported his emergence as Nigeria’s leader in the 2023 presidential election.

The governor said he had attempted to secure a meeting with Tinubu after gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State, expecting the President to show concern and personally engage him over the security situation.

He expressed disappointment that the President did not contact him throughout the period the victims remained in captivity.

“I tried to see the President when our students and our children and their teachers were kidnapped, because I thought if any part of Nigeria is going through such a challenge, the President should be interested. Actually, I expected the President to call me,” he said.

When asked directly whether Tinubu eventually called, Makinde replied, “He did not. No. Till tomorrow.”

He also disclosed that he had tried reaching the President through the State Chief of Protocol but received no response to his call.

Makinde further insisted that he had not held any direct conversation with Tinubu on any issue, adding that he had remained focused on administering the state.

“I’m saying it again that till tomorrow I’ve not spoken directly with the President, about anything. I’m just minding my own business, running Oyo State. And I’m not complaining,” he stated.

On what might have caused the apparent breakdown in communication between them, the governor suggested that speculation about his possible presidential ambition in 2027 could have created tension.

Makinde said he suspected that some individuals might have informed Tinubu that he was considering contesting against him in the next presidential election.

“Well, I can only hazard a guess. Maybe some people went and told him, ‘Look, she may likely run against you.’ I don’t know. That may cause bad blood between us,” he said.

The development comes months after pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom following 56 days in captivity.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked schools in the area, triggering a major security response.

The Nigerian Army announced their rescue on July 10 following an operation involving multiple security agencies.

Despite his revelation about the President's failure to contact him during the crisis, Makinde had publicly thanked Tinubu and security agencies after the victims were rescued, describing their freedom as a major relief.