ABUJA, Nigeria — The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, counselled President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the security of Nigerians over political campaign activities following the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State.
Golden Info reports that Atiku Abubakar issued the counsel in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, commending the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies whose gallantry made the rescue operation possible.
The statement noted that the Ogbomoso schoolchildren and their teachers regained their freedom on the day the national leadership of the president’s party launched its “Door-to-Door” campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
“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. Yesterday should have been dedicated to the war room, not the campaign room,” Atiku Abubakar said.
He stated that the responsibility of announcing the security success was left to the spokesperson for the president while the commander-in-chief remained engaged in political activities.
“What Nigerians expected yesterday was to see a commander-in-chief leading from the front. Following the successful rescue operation, the president ought to have immediately addressed the nation alongside his defence chiefs—not merely to announce the good news, but to brief Nigerians on the operation; acknowledge the bravery of the troops; highlight the lessons learned; reassure families that no effort would be spared to rescue those still in captivity; and send an unmistakable message to bandits and terrorists that the Nigerian state remains resolute.
“Such moments are not ordinary press events; they are defining demonstrations of leadership that strengthen public confidence, boost military morale, and remind criminal elements that they are confronting a government that neither sleeps nor surrenders,” Atiku Abubakar said.
He stated that symbolism carries weight in the fight against terrorism, adding that military personnel deserve visible presidential recognition following a difficult mission.
“When our troops accomplish a difficult mission, they deserve visible presidential recognition. When citizens witness their President speaking with conviction after such an operation, they draw strength and confidence. Equally, those who seek to terrorise our people are reminded that they are confronting a united and determined state. The opposite risks creating an unfortunate perception that politics has taken precedence over the solemn responsibility of securing the nation.
“There is an old African proverb that says, ‘When the drum of danger beats, the village chief does not send a messenger to dance in his place.’ Yesterday belonged to our brave soldiers, and they acquitted themselves with honour. But it should also have been the moment for the commander-in-chief to stand before the nation, salute their courage, comfort anxious families and send a chilling message to every bandit and terrorist that the Nigerian state will pursue them without rest until every captive is free. Leadership is not only measured by victories won on the battlefield but also by the courage displayed from the highest office in moments that define a nation,” Atiku Abubakar said.
He added that the rescue of the pupils in Oyo State should not distract from the fact that other citizens, including individuals in Borno and several other parts of Nigeria, remain in captivity. He urged the federal government to sustain pressure on terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers until every community achieves peace and security.