Leave Children Out of Dirty Politics, Femi Branch Tells Nigerian Leaders

Nollywood actor Femi Branch has appealed to Nigerian politicians to stop dragging children into political battles, following the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Oyo State.

Branch made the appeal in a video shared on his Instagram page on Saturday, reacting to the growing concerns over the mass abduction of schoolchildren across the country and the release of the 46 victims after 56 days in captivity.

The actor also referenced comments made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on the incident, accusing politicians of politicising the abduction instead of focusing on the welfare of the affected children.

“I just want to make an appeal and beg us in this country. I’m not directing this to anybody, but I’m begging all of us that whatever dirty politics that we’re all playing, can we just leave the innocent children out of it,” he said.

According to him, Nigerian children are already burdened by poor educational conditions and should not be made victims of political conflicts.

“The children in this country are suffering enough. The so-called schools they are are going to, the quality of education and everything is scrambled. They are suffering enough. Can we just leave them out of this dirty politics that we’re playing?

“Innocent children were in the bush for 56 days. Those kids must be traumatised by now and need to be attended to,” he added.

Branch further referred to Governor Makinde’s remarks, saying the governor suggested the abduction occurred shortly after he declared support for President Bola Tinubu.

“The governor came out and said he declared for the president at 4 p.m., and by 9 a.m. the next morning the children and teachers were taken away, thereby insinuating that it was a political game.

“Can we just leave these poor children out of our dirty politics? Please, I’m not attacking or calling out anybody. I’m just appealing to us to leave the innocent children out of our madness, please,” he said.

The rescued pupils and teachers regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity.