Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to prosecuting all suspects involved in the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of at least 35 children. The incident occurred during a children’s funfair organized by Olori Naomi Ogunseyi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, and radio personality Hamzat Oriyomi. Both organizers and the school principal have been remanded in prison custody.
Speaking on Monday, January 6, during the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers, Governor Makinde dismissed calls for leniency and emphasized that justice must prevail. Addressing comparisons to similar incidents in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the governor declared that Oyo State would uphold the rule of law, irrespective of precedents elsewhere.
“In the outgone year, we faced challenges,” Makinde said. “2024 started for us here in Oyo State almost on a tragic note. On January 16, 2024, we had an explosion here in Bodija that affected even my office. The impact was felt all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“Towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun. Thirty-five innocent souls were lost; may we not see such again in Oyo State. Quite a number of people have been reaching out to me, saying, ‘Oh, this incident happened in Anambra State and the FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people are going to jail?’ I said, ‘Well, Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.’”
Makinde further stated, “The judiciary is here. It’s in their court. If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But for the trial, the people must go on trial. Even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, in Oyo State, we will follow it; we will dare to be different.”
Backlash from Supporters of Hamzat Oriyomi
Meanwhile, friends, relatives, and well-wishers of Hamzat Oriyomi have taken to social media to criticize Governor Makinde, accusing him of political betrayal. Many pointed out that Oriyomi played a significant role in campaigning for Makinde during his first and second terms in office.
One supporter, Alaba Odunayo, an Ibadan indigene, alleged that the governor’s comments and actions suggest bad intentions toward Oriyomi. “This issue has shown how ungrateful Makinde is, and it will surely affect the PDP in the 2027 general elections,” Odunayo stated.
Another voice of dissent, Ademola Oluwaferanmi, a political analyst from Ibadan, acknowledged the governor’s commitment to upholding the rule of law but criticized his remarks comparing Oyo State to Anambra and Abuja. “The governor should not have implied that the grace given to organizers in Anambra and the FCT is something Oriyomi and Naomi will never have. That was unnecessary and unfair,” Oluwaferanmi said.
The backlash highlights a growing divide over the handling of the case, as some accuse the governor of politicizing the tragedy, while others commend his insistence on justice. As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the judiciary to ensure a fair trial for the suspects and closure for the victims’ families.
