Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has criticized African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for neglecting to remark on the return of the abducted Oriire students and teachers.
Onanuga said that over 18 hours after the victims’ release, Atiku has refused to recognize the incident.
Onanuga observed in a Saturday post on his X account that Atiku had constantly criticized the federal government for the kidnapping while the victims were still in captivity.
He said the former vice president has been silent since their release.
“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 traumatized victims,” Onanuga wrote.
He also noted that Atiku had “weaponized the kidnapping as a campaign issue several times” since the abduction occurred 57 days ago.
Onanuga stated that the ADC chieftain’s silence was curious, given his previous frequent commentary on the matter.
“Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration,” he said.
The presidential aide, however, praised Nigeria’s Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi for speaking on the rescue.
He said that Obi expressed gratitude for the victims’ release, even if the former Anambra State governor did not openly laud Tinubu.
