RE : AGAIN, SOLA ABEGUNDE CHOOSES EMOTION OVER CONTEXT – By Oyetunji Oyekunle

I have read Mr. Sola Abegunde’s latest response and it is clear that he still prefers to argue against what Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin did not say rather than what he actually said.

First, the Speaker never said rescue efforts should stop. He never said government should abandon the victims. He never ruled out every possible avenue that could lead to their safe return. His point was simple, the continuous payment of huge ransoms and endless negotiations with kidnappers have contributed to the growing kidnapping industry in the country. That position is not insensitive, it is a legitimate concern about how to end a dangerous cycle.

Mr. Abegunde argues that the Speaker’s comments did not give hope to the families of the victims. While everyone sympathises with the affected families, leadership requires more than emotional reactions. It requires addressing the factors that continue to encourage criminal activities. Showing compassion to victims and refusing to reward criminals are not contradictory positions.

Interestingly, Mr. Abegunde now admits that he never accused the Speaker of advocating neglect of the victims. Yet his original article clearly portrayed the Speaker as lacking empathy. That interpretation was unfair and misleading.

He also asks what alternatives exist if ransom payments are discouraged. The answer is obvious, intelligence gathering, security operations, collaboration among security agencies and other lawful strategies aimed at securing the release of victims without strengthening criminal networks. Opposing ransom payments is not the same as opposing rescue efforts.

On collaboration with the Federal Government, Mr. Abegunde’s argument is equally weak. The activities of federal security agencies in Oyo State, joint security operations and regular engagements among security stakeholders are evidence of ongoing collaboration. Such cooperation is not measured by how many public meetings are held with the National Security Adviser.

His reference to Governor Seyi Makinde’s position on the constitutional limitations of governors over security agencies does not support his argument. If anything, it reinforces the need for stronger security reforms and better cooperation among all levels of government.

Mr. Abegunde’s repeated question about “where the Media Aide was” during one political controversy or another is, at best, a distraction from the issues under discussion. The Speaker has never lacked a voice on matters of public importance, and that voice has consistently been projected through a media team that remains active, responsive and committed to factual engagement.

However, unlike those who thrive on every passing controversy, the Speaker’s media team chooses to respond to issues based on their substance, public significance and the need to set the record straight. The real issue is not where a media aide was years ago, but whether the Speaker’s comments on insecurity have been fairly represented.

Finally, Mr. Abegunde’s attempt to introduce unrelated political issues concerning the House of Assembly does not address the matter under discussion. The debate is about the Speaker’s comments on insecurity, not old political disagreements.

Every reasonable person wants the abducted students and teachers returned safely to their families. The real issue is whether society should continue treating ransom payments and endless negotiations as the preferred response to kidnapping.

The Speaker’s position remains clear: victims must be rescued, criminality must not be rewarded, and lasting solutions must be found to end the cycle of abductions.

That is the context Mr. Abegunde continues to ignore.

Oyetunji Oyekunle is the Media Aide to the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly