Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and Oluremi Tinubu over the federal government’s response to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
On May 15, suspected bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting about 39 students and seven teachers.
The crisis escalated days later when Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, was killed by the kidnappers.
In a statement issued on Friday by Phrank Shaibu, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku said the federal government under Tinubu’s leadership appeared more focused on political activities than on securing the release of the victims.
The former vice-president said that nearly three weeks after the pupils and teachers were abducted, Nigerians were still awaiting their safe return.
Atiku lamented that it was difficult to understand how a government that claims to care for its citizens could maintain an atmosphere of celebration while some children and their teachers remained in captivity.
He said leadership requires empathy, especially when citizens are facing traumatic situations.
Atiku expressed disappointment that some of the activities attracting public criticism were personally anchored by the First Lady.
He said Nigerians were entitled to question whether national leaders were showing sufficient compassion to families affected by the abduction.
“A true mother does not celebrate while her children are missing. A true mother does not preside over political festivities while families are trapped in agony, praying daily for the safe return of their loved ones,” he said.
“A true mother would use every platform available to keep the plight of those children at the forefront of national consciousness until they are safely reunited with their families.”
Atiku said parents of the abducted children had endured weeks of uncertainty while images of political gatherings and celebrations continued to dominate public discourse.
He described the contrast as painful and disturbing.
The former vice-president also criticised what he called extravagant displays of power at a time when many Nigerians were grappling with economic hardship and insecurity.
“When children are missing, the nation expects urgency. When teachers are abducted, the nation expects compassion,” he said.
“What Nigerians do not expect is political pageantry. They do not expect campaign songs. They do not expect celebrations.
“They certainly do not expect luxury gifts being handed out to political loyalists while families are living through one of the darkest moments of their lives.”
Atiku said repeated incidents of mass abduction appeared to have reduced the sense of urgency with which authorities respond to such crises.
He warned that failure to respond decisively could embolden criminal groups and deepen public frustration.
The former vice-president called on the federal government to deploy all available security and intelligence resources toward securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
He also urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
“At a time like this, Nigerians do not need political choreography. They need leadership,” he said.
“They do not need celebrations. They need results. They do not need propaganda. They need the safe return of every abducted child and teacher.
“Until that happens, every display of political merriment is a painful reminder of a government that appears increasingly disconnected from the suffering of its own people.”
