The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has told President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the security of Nigerians over politics ahead of the 2027 election.
Atiku spoke in reaction to the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Security operatives freed them on Friday after more than fifty days in captivity.
He welcomed the rescue and commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the operation.
In a statement issued Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President praised the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of the security personnel behind the operation.
He noted that the Ogbomoso schoolchildren and their teachers regained their freedom the same day the APC launched its “Door-to-Door” campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
“No serious government should be consumed by the politics of re-election while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks,” Atiku said. “The first campaign of any responsible administration must be the campaign to rescue its citizens, restore security and reassure anxious families. Politics can wait; the lives of innocent children cannot. Yesterday should have been dedicated to the war room, not the campaign room.”
He argued that while the military rose to the occasion, the Presidency failed to show leadership after the rescue. According to him, Tinubu should have addressed the nation immediately alongside the defence chiefs.
“What Nigerians expected yesterday was to see a commander-in-chief leading from the front. Following the successful rescue operation, the president ought to have immediately addressed the nation alongside his defence chiefs — not merely to announce the good news, but to brief Nigerians on the operation; acknowledge the bravery of the troops; highlight the lessons learned; reassure families that no effort would be spared to rescue those still in captivity; and send an unmistakable message to bandits and terrorists that the Nigerian state remains resolute.
“Such moments are not ordinary press events; they are defining demonstrations of leadership that strengthen public confidence, boost military morale, and remind criminal elements that they are confronting a government that neither sleeps nor surrenders.”
Atiku said he was concerned that the announcement of what he called one of the country’s most significant security successes was left to the President’s spokesman while Tinubu remained engaged in political activities.
He said presidential symbolism was crucial in the fight against terrorism.
“When our troops accomplish a difficult mission, they deserve visible presidential recognition. When citizens witness their President speaking with conviction after such an operation, they draw strength and confidence. Equally, those who seek to terrorise our people are reminded that they are confronting a united and determined state. The opposite risks creating an unfortunate perception that politics has taken precedence over the solemn responsibility of securing the nation.
“There is an old African proverb that says, ‘When the drum of danger beats, the village chief does not send a messenger to dance in his place.’ Yesterday belonged to our brave soldiers, and they acquitted themselves with honour. But it should also have been the moment for the commander-in-chief to stand before the nation, salute their courage, comfort anxious families and send a chilling message to every bandit and terrorist that the Nigerian state will pursue them without rest until every captive is free. Leadership is not only measured by victories won on the battlefield but also by the courage displayed from the highest office in moments that define a nation.”
Atiku cautioned that the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should not overshadow the plight of other abducted Nigerians, including schoolchildren and other victims still held captive in Borno and other parts of the country.
He said “the greatest campaign any president can undertake is not for re-election but for the safety and security of the Nigerian people.”
The former Vice President urged the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until all abducted Nigerians are rescued and affected communities restored to peace.
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