Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus on addressing Nigeria’s security challenges rather than concentrating on the 2027 election campaign, even as he welcomed the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku commended the military and other security agencies for successfully rescuing the victims after weeks in captivity.
He praised the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of the security personnel involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a significant achievement.
The former vice president, 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 the government should place greater emphasis on securing lives than on political activities.
“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,” he said.
Atiku argued that President Tinubu should have personally addressed the nation alongside the country’s security chiefs following the rescue to reassure Nigerians, commend the troops and send a strong message to criminal groups.
According to him, such a public appearance would have boosted public confidence, strengthened the morale of security personnel and demonstrated the government’s resolve to tackle insecurity.
Instead, he said, the announcement of the successful operation was left to the President’s spokesman while Tinubu remained engaged in political activities.
The former vice president stressed that symbolism was important in the fight against terrorism, insisting that visible presidential leadership during major security successes reinforces public trust and signals determination to criminal elements.
He also cautioned that the successful rescue in Oyo should not overshadow the plight of other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers and terrorists in different parts of the country.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until all abducted Nigerians are rescued and communities affected by insecurity are restored to peace.
He maintained that the most important campaign for any administration should be the protection of lives and property rather than preparations for re-election.
