Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over what he described as the Federal Government’s lack of urgency in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
Key highlight:
Summary of Key Points
- Atiku Abubakar criticized the Federal Government over the prolonged captivity of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
- He accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the administration of showing insufficient urgency in securing the victims’ release.
- Atiku expressed disappointment with the public activities of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu while the abductees remain in captivity.
- He argued that leaders should demonstrate empathy, compassion, and responsiveness during national crises.
- Atiku called for the immediate deployment of security and intelligence resources to rescue the victims and prosecute those responsible.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said it was disturbing that nearly three weeks after the abduction of pupils and teachers on May 15, 2026, the victims were still in captivity while government officials continued to engage in political activities.
He said the nation was still awaiting the safe return of the abductees, accusing the administration of appearing more focused on political engagements than on the anguish of affected families.
The former Vice President questioned what he termed the atmosphere of celebration surrounding government activities at a time when innocent children and their teachers remained in the hands of kidnappers.
According to him, leadership goes beyond occupying public office and must be reflected in empathy and responsiveness during periods of national distress.
Atiku expressed particular disappointment with the role of the First Lady, noting that she is often celebrated by supporters as the “mother of the nation.”
He said Nigerians were justified in asking how a mother could “sleep, dance, celebrate political victories, receive campaign groups and distribute luxury vehicles” while children and teachers remained in captivity.
“A true mother does not celebrate while her children are missing. A true mother does not preside over political festivities while families are trapped in agony, praying daily for the safe return of their loved ones,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate argued that while parents of the abducted children had endured weeks of uncertainty and anxiety, the public had been confronted with images of political gatherings, campaign-style events and the distribution of vehicles to political associates.
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He described the contrast as painful and disturbing. Atiku also criticised what he called extravagant displays of power and highly publicised political engagements amid worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country.
He maintained that symbolism and public conduct matter during moments of national tragedy.
“When children are missing, the nation expects urgency. When teachers are abducted, the nation expects compassion. What Nigerians do not expect is political pageantry,” he stated.
The former Vice President further lamented that mass kidnappings had become so frequent under the current administration that officials appeared to have lost the sense of urgency required to address such incidents.
He warned that normalising recurring acts of terror could embolden criminals and deepen public frustration.
Atiku called on the Federal Government to deploy all available security and intelligence resources to secure the immediate release of the abducted pupils and teachers and ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
He added that history would judge leaders not by the number of political meetings held or support groups entertained, but by how they responded when innocent citizens were in danger.
“At a time like this, Nigerians do not need political choreography. They need leadership. They do not need celebrations. They need results. They need the safe return of every abducted child and teacher,” he said.
