Abuja, NIGERIA – The Presidency has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his silence following the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The sharp rebuke was issued on Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Comrade Bayo Onanuga. Okay News reports that the presidential aide expressed disappointment that nearly 18 hours after the captives regained their freedom, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate had failed to acknowledge the breakthrough or sympathize with the victims.
Onanuga accused Atiku of routinely weaponizing the tragic kidnapping as a partisan campaign issue since the security incident occurred nearly two months ago. He noted that while the veteran politician was quick to use the security challenge to attack the administration, his digital channels have remained completely silent now that a ransom-free rescue has been achieved by joint security forces. The presidential spokesperson suggested that opposition figures often appear more interested in exploiting national challenges for political capital than celebrating tactical successes.
In contrast, the presidential aide extended measured acknowledgement to the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Peter Obi, who publicly called for national thanksgiving over the safe return of the citizens. While noting that Obi chose to bypass directly commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief, Onanuga implied that even a neutral acknowledgment of the hostages’ safety from the opposition was preferable to absolute silence or waiting for adverse security developments.
