ATIKU SLAMS PRESIDENCY OVER ‘FALSE’ SILENCE ALLEGATION ON OYO SCHOOLCHILDREN’S RESCUE
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed the Presidency’s allegation that he failed to react to the rescue of the abducted Oyo State schoolchildren and teachers, describing the claim as false and unsupported by the facts.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the Presidency either failed to verify publicly available information before making the allegation or deliberately ignored his earlier statement because it challenged the government’s priorities.
According to the statement, it was surprising that the Presidency could accuse him of remaining silent without confirming whether he had already commented on the development.
The response followed remarks by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who criticised Atiku for allegedly failing to acknowledge the victims’ rescue nearly 18 hours after they regained their freedom.
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Onanuga had also accused the former vice president of repeatedly attacking the Federal Government over the abduction while commending Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for welcoming the rescue.
However, Atiku maintained that he had already issued a detailed statement earlier on Saturday titled, “A Nation at War Needs a Commander-in-Chief, Not a Campaigner-in-Chief,” in which he welcomed the successful operation and praised the security agencies involved.
To counter the Presidency’s claim, he reproduced excerpts from the statement, insisting they clearly showed he had congratulated the security personnel and acknowledged their courage, professionalism and sacrifices.
He explained that while he commended the security forces, he deliberately chose not to praise President Tinubu, arguing that the President should have personally led the nation in celebrating the successful rescue instead of focusing on partisan political engagements.
Atiku also maintained that the successful rescue in Oyo should not overshadow the plight of other victims still being held by kidnappers and terrorists, particularly those abducted in Borno State and other parts of the country.
He urged the Presidency to focus on addressing Nigeria’s security challenges rather than misrepresenting opposition statements, stressing that governments should respond to criticism with facts and tangible results instead of propaganda.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a government committed to securing the release of every citizen still in captivity rather than one preoccupied with political controversies.
In his earlier statement, Atiku had argued that Nigeria needed a “Commander-in-Chief, not a Campaigner-in-Chief,” accusing President Tinubu of placing politics ahead of national security at a time the country continued to battle terrorism, banditry and mass kidnappings.
He noted that the rescue coincided with the launch of the All Progressives Congress’ door-to-door campaign ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the timing as inappropriate.
Atiku also argued that President Tinubu should have personally addressed Nigerians alongside the nation’s defence chiefs after the rescue, commending the troops and reassuring families that every effort would continue until all abducted citizens were freed.
While welcoming the release of the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, he cautioned against excessive celebration, stressing that many Nigerians remain in captivity across the country.
The 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15 after gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. They regained their freedom on Friday after spending 57 days in captivity in an operation the Presidency said was carried out without negotiating with the kidnappers.
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