The Presidency has criticised the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly failing to acknowledge the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a post on X on Friday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, claimed that nearly 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, Atiku had neither congratulated the Federal Government nor commended the security agencies involved in the operation.
“Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu Federal Government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims,” Onanuga wrote.
He accused the former vice president of repeatedly using the abduction to criticise the Tinubu administration while remaining silent after the successful rescue.
“Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago. Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku’s internet lane. No comment. No words of praise,” Onanuga said.
He added, “Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration.”
Onanuga, however, commended Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for reacting to the development.
“Kudos to Peter Obi: at least he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the Commander-in-Chief,” he stated.
Since the pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, Atiku had repeatedly criticised the Federal Government over the country’s worsening security situation.
In one of his earlier statements, he described the incident as evidence of what he called the Tinubu administration’s failure to protect Nigerians, while urging the government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and improve security across the country.
The 39 pupils and seven teachers were rescued on Friday after spending 57 days in captivity.
According to the Presidency, the operation was carried out without negotiating with the kidnappers, while several suspects were arrested and others neutralised.