The special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticized the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for failing to comment on the release of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers.
Onanuga said almost 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, Atiku was yet to acknowledge the development.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Onanuga noted that Atiku had repeatedly criticized the Federal Government over the abduction while the victims remained in captivity.
He said the former vice-president had gone 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.
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He added that Atiku had “weaponized the kidnapping as a campaign issue several times” since the abduction occurred 57 days ago.
Onanuga said 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, commended the Nigerian Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, for reacting to the rescue.
He noted that Obi called for thanksgiving over the victims’ freedom, even though the former Anambra State governor did not commend Tinubu directly.
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