Atiku praises Oyo rescue but chides Tinubu for not addressing the nation
Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the rescue of 44 Oriire hostages but criticised President Tinubu for failing to personally address the nation after the operation.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has welcomed the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State, describing it as a moment of profound relief for their families and millions of Nigerians. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku commended the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies whose gallantry made the operation possible.
"The rescue of innocent schoolchildren from the hands of terrorists is a victory for our gallant troops and a source of hope for every Nigerian family. They deserve the gratitude of the nation," Atiku stated.
The former Vice President noted that it was particularly striking that the Ogbomoso schoolchildren and their teachers regained their freedom on the very day the national leadership of the President's party 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. 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," Atiku said.
The former Vice President, however, said that while the military rose to the occasion, the Presidency failed to rise to the moment. "Terrorism is unfortunately a global challenge. What distinguishes serious governments from indifferent ones is not whether attacks occur, but how political leaders respond when brave men and women in uniform deliver success against those who seek to terrorise their country," Atiku said.
Atiku said Nigerians expected to see their Commander-in-Chief seize the moment by personally addressing the nation immediately after 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.
Instead, Atiku observed, the responsibility of announcing one of the most significant security successes in recent times was left to the President's spokesman while the President remained publicly engaged in political activities. "The Commander-in-Chief is more than a constitutional title; it is a moral responsibility. In moments of national triumph and national grief, Nigerians expect to see their President embody that office. Leadership is not exercised only behind closed doors; it must also be seen, heard and felt by both the citizens and those who threaten them," Atiku said.
The former Vice President warned that symbolism matters greatly 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," Atiku said.
This echoes the 2014 Chibok kidnapping, when President Goodluck Jonathan faced similar criticism for his handling of the abduction and his communication with the nation. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: a perception that the Presidency was detached from the suffering of its citizens.
The winners: the security agencies, who have been publicly commended; and Atiku, who has positioned himself as a voice of accountability. The losers: President Tinubu, who faces criticism for his communication style; and the families of the victims, who had to wait for a political statement while their children were in captivity.
Bottom Line: Atiku praised the rescue but criticised the President's silence. The message is clear: in moments of national significance, Nigerians expect to hear from their leader. Not a spokesman. Not a statement. The President.