The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for allegedly prioritising political activities over national security, despite the successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who said the former Vice President welcomed the rescue of the victims but questioned the President’s response to the operation.
Atiku commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for what he described as their courage, professionalism and sacrifice in securing the release of the victims, saying the operation offered hope to families affected by insecurity across the country.
He, however, noted that the rescue coincided with the launch of the All Progressives Congress’ door-to-door campaign for the 2027 presidential election, arguing that national security should have taken precedence over political engagements.
According to him, no responsible government should be preoccupied with re-election campaigns while many Nigerians remain in the custody of kidnappers and terrorists, insisting that rescuing citizens and restoring security ought to be the administration’s foremost priority.
The former Vice President also faulted the President for not personally addressing Nigerians after the operation, saying citizens expected the Commander-in-Chief to publicly acknowledge the efforts of the troops, reassure families of abducted victims and demonstrate the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism.
He argued that while security challenges are not unique to Nigeria, the true test of leadership lies in how political leaders respond to major security successes and moments of national crisis.
Atiku further warned that allowing the President’s spokesman to announce what he described as one of the country's most significant recent security breakthroughs, while the President remained engaged in political activities, risked creating the impression that politics had overtaken governance.
He stressed that presidential visibility and symbolism were crucial in boosting the morale of security personnel and reassuring Nigerians that the government remained determined to tackle insecurity.
The ADC presidential candidate added that the successful rescue in Oyo should not overshadow the plight of other abducted Nigerians, including schoolchildren and residents still being held captive in Borno and other parts of the country.
He urged the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until all abducted Nigerians regain their freedom, insisting that the greatest campaign any President could undertake was guaranteeing the safety and security of citizens rather than pursuing electoral ambitions.
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