The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to focus more on tackling insecurity than political campaigns ahead of the next general election.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku welcomed the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, while commending the military and other security agencies for their professionalism and bravery.
“No serious government should be consumed by the politics of re-election while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks,” Atiku said.
The former vice president argued that the rescue operation should have been accompanied by a direct address from President Tinubu to reassure Nigerians and honour the security personnel involved.
“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 stated.
According to Atiku, the President should have appeared alongside the nation’s security chiefs after the successful operation to brief Nigerians, commend the troops and send a strong message to terrorists and kidnappers.
“Such moments are not ordinary press events; they are defining demonstrations of leadership that strengthen public confidence and boost military morale,” he added.
While praising the armed forces for the successful rescue, Atiku expressed concern that many Nigerians, including schoolchildren and other victims in Borno and several parts of the country, remain in captivity.
He urged the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until all abducted Nigerians are rescued and affected communities are restored to peace.
According to Atiku, the most important campaign for any government should be protecting the lives and security of its citizens rather than preparing for another election.
Source: Statement by Atiku Abubakar’s media office.
