Nigerians on social media are knocking Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, for hosting a political rally and dancing as he received a certificate of return as the consensus presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 elections.

The viral video of Mr Makinde waving his hands as he danced to receive the certificate emerged on the internet on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Mr Makinde cited the abduction of Oyo schoolchildren, describing himself as a helpless Chief Security Officer without constitutional power to direct security agencies.

“Innocent citizens and school children are in captivity. As Governor, I carry the burden of ‘Chief Security Officer’ without the constitutional authority to command security agencies. No leader should bear such responsibility without the power to act,” Mr Makinde said.

@9starphamarcist said, “While his people are in captivity and even being killed, he is there roaming around and dancing for something he knows himself that he will not win. I swear, governance is not as hard as it seems. We are just unlucky to have bad people leading us.”

@omoologo2027 said, “No single empathy. People that are supposed to be in the forest looking for the children.”

“See him on the political podium when his state is bleeding. The dude collecting billions of security vote,” an X user, @SamuelA62050305, said.

Another X user, @Updateboyx said, “Oyo State Governor seyi Makinde is hosting his party’s presidential primary election today. He also held a rally yesterday, but people in Ogun State should not celebrate their festive season because of the same Oyo State.”

@tukilo_jnr said, “Is he not supposed to be worried about the kidnapped children and teachers, is his presidential ambition more important than the lives of the kidnapped people?”

@homemadecartel said, “Omor, these people are not talking anything about those in the bush? Ha! Nigeria government get mind and it’s because they’ve seen Nigerians are weak. They’ll continue delaying until another person gets kill£d.”

@whicetonz said, “42 children and teachers were kidnapped in his state but he is much concerned about his ambitions and how to install a successor. Like President, like governor.”

Mr Makinde’s political outing comes a day after the principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Rachael Alamu, who was abducted alongside over 40 students and staff, called on the governor and the Nigerian government to rescue them.