The flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the Presidency’s claim that he remained silent following the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from two schools in Oyo State, describing the allegation as false.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said he had publicly welcomed the rescue and commended the security agencies involved in the operation.
His response followed remarks by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused the former vice president of failing to acknowledge the victims’ release nearly 18 hours after the operation. Onanuga also praised Labour Party’s Peter Obi for reacting to the development.
Atiku insisted he had earlier released a statement titled “A Nation at War Needs a Commander-in-Chief, Not a Campaigner-in-Chief,” in which he congratulated the security agencies and praised their courage, professionalism and sacrifice.
He, however, maintained that while the rescue deserved commendation, the President should have personally addressed the nation after the operation, rather than leaving the announcement to his spokesman while engaged in political activities.
The former vice president urged the Federal Government to focus on securing the release of other Nigerians still in captivity, including victims abducted in Borno State and other parts of the country.
He also called on the Presidency to concentrate on tackling the country’s security challenges instead of engaging in what he described as unnecessary controversies with the opposition.
Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers abducted from Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 regained their freedom on Friday after spending 57 days in captivity.
The Presidency said the operation was carried out without negotiations with the abductors.
