Tinubu Should Have Addressed Nigerians After Oyo Schoolchildren Rescue – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the security of Nigerians over political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku stated this in his reaction to the safe rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who were rescued by security operatives on Friday after over fifty days in captivity.

Atiku, however, welcomed the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State, commending the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the operation.

Naija News reports that in a statement issued on 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 whose efforts led to the successful rescue.

He pointed out that the Ogbomoso schoolchildren and their teachers regained their freedom on the same day the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched its “Door-to-Door” campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku said, “No serious government should be consumed by the politics of re-election while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks. 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.”

The former Vice President argued that while the military rose to the occasion, the Presidency failed to demonstrate leadership after the rescue operation.

According to him, the President should have addressed the nation immediately, alongside the defence chiefs, following the successful operation.

“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 expressed concern that the announcement of what he described as one of the country’s most significant security successes was left to the President’s spokesman while Tinubu remained engaged in political activities.

The ADC presidential candidate 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,” he added.

Atiku also cautioned that the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should not overshadow the plight of other abducted Nigerians, including schoolchildren and other victims still being held captive in Borno and other parts of the country.

He maintained that “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 communities affected by insecurity are restored to peace.