Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims by the Presidency that he remained silent following the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that he had already issued a public statement commending the security agencies involved in the operation.
In a statement released on Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the allegation as a reckless distortion of facts, arguing that documentary evidence contradicts the Presidency’s position. According to the statement, there are only two possible explanations for the accusation.
“It is astonishing that a presidency with limitless public resources could accuse someone of silence without carrying out the most basic verification. Either they failed to read our statement because they were too lazy to do so, or they deliberately ignored it because it exposed uncomfortable truths about their misplaced priorities,” the statement read.
The reaction followed comments by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who criticised Atiku for allegedly failing to publicly acknowledge the successful rescue of the Oriire schoolchildren and their teachers nearly 18 hours after they regained their freedom.
Responding, Atiku maintained that the Oyo rescue statement had been issued earlier under the title, “A Nation at War Needs a Commander-in-Chief, Not a Campaigner-in-Chief.” He said the statement welcomed the successful operation, praised the Armed Forces and other security agencies, and called for sustained efforts to rescue every Nigerian still being held captive.
To support his position, the former Vice President reproduced excerpts from the earlier statement.
“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.
He also argued that while the successful operation deserved recognition, it should not overshadow the plight of other Nigerians who remain in captivity across different parts of the country. According to him, many abducted schoolchildren and innocent citizens, particularly in Borno State and other affected communities, are yet to regain their freedom.
“One successful rescue must not become an excuse for self-congratulation. A nation cannot celebrate while other parents still go to bed not knowing whether their children are alive or dead. Our work is not done until every abducted Nigerian is safely reunited with his or her family,” he said.
Atiku added that his administration-in-waiting would continue to support every effort aimed at dismantling terrorist and kidnapping networks while ensuring the safe return of all victims.
He further argued that his criticism was directed not at the security agencies, whose courage and professionalism he commended, but at what he described as the President’s failure to personally lead national efforts at a crucial moment.
According to him, Nigerians deserve leadership focused on addressing insecurity rather than engaging in political distractions. The former Vice President concluded that the Oyo rescue statement clearly demonstrated his support for the security agencies, insisting that no amount of political messaging could erase documented facts.
He urged the Presidency to respond to public concerns with tangible results rather than what he described as attempts to misrepresent the opposition, adding that many Nigerians are still waiting for the safe return of loved ones who remain in the custody of kidnappers and terrorist groups.
