UN Probe Call Sparks Debate Over Political Double Standards

A public commentator, media analyst, and National Publicity Secretary of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Abubakar Yusuf, alongside leaders of political parties, has defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the incident involving the abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the group recalled the position taken in 2013 by the former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now a major constituent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed. They noted that following the Baga killings in Borno State, the ACN called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that the killings amounted to crimes against humanity. According to them, the demand was regarded at the time as a legitimate call for accountability and justice rather than an act of disloyalty to Nigeria.
The statement observed that thirteen years later, from 2013 to 2026, a similar call by an opposition figure is now being described by some critics as a disservice to the nation. Yusuf maintained that Governor Makinde’s position, which has also received support from several stakeholders, does not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty but instead promotes transparency, accountability, and the credibility of the country’s institutions.
The group stated that one of the recurring debates in Nigeria is whether political leaders are justified in demanding independent investigations into serious allegations arising from security operations during periods of insurgency or internal conflict. It argued that although Governor Makinde’s recent call has attracted criticism from some quarters, Nigeria’s political history shows that such a position is neither unusual nor unprecedented.
According to the statement, the ACN publicly blamed the Jonathan administration for failing to prevent the deaths of civilians during the April 2013 Baga killings and urged the ICC to investigate the incident, maintaining that the alleged crimes warranted international attention. It stressed that the demand was presented then as a legitimate pursuit of justice and accountability.
The group said this historical context demonstrates that calls for independent investigations into serious allegations involving civilian deaths have previously been supported by many of the same political actors who now oppose similar demands. It added that the principle advanced at the time was that where there are credible allegations of abuse by state institutions, an impartial investigation helps establish the truth and strengthens public confidence.
The statement further argued that Governor Makinde’s call follows the same principle, noting that requesting an independent investigation does not imply guilt on the part of government or security agencies, nor does it amount to inviting foreign interference. Rather, it said, transparency and impartial fact-finding remain the best means of resolving public concerns and competing narratives.
It added that if security agencies acted lawfully, an independent investigation would reinforce that conclusion, while any mistakes or abuses uncovered would provide a credible basis for accountability. The group maintained that democratic principles should remain consistent regardless of which political party is in power.
According to the statement, if it was considered acceptable in 2013 to seek an international investigation into allegations against the Jonathan administration, then making a similar request today should not be viewed as inherently improper simply because another administration is in office. It added that citizens have the right to question whether such differing standards are based on principle or political convenience.
The group concluded that independent investigations are intended to strengthen, not weaken, public institutions, stressing that democracies function best when allegations are examined through transparent processes rather than dismissed on political grounds. It maintained that under the administrations of Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu, or any future government, serious allegations involving the loss of innocent lives should always be subjected to credible, impartial, and transparent investigations.