Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has vehemently condemned what he termed the “shocking insensitivity” of the Tinubu administration, particularly targeting First Lady Remi Tinubu, regarding the ongoing plight of abducted schoolchildren, teachers, and their anguished families. Atiku questioned the appropriateness of political celebrations and activities while innocent victims remain in captivity.

The strong criticism was conveyed in a statement released on Friday, signed by Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar. This statement follows closely after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu inaugurated the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB), a pro-Tinubu support group, at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, an event that included the announcement of luxury vehicle donations to APC women leaders in five opposition-controlled states.

Atiku Abubakar expressed profound disappointment that many activities drawing public scrutiny were personally anchored by the First Lady. Despite being often hailed as the “mother of the nation,” Atiku challenged whether a true mother could “comfortably sleep, dance, celebrate political victories, receive campaign groups, and distribute luxury vehicles while toddlers, schoolchildren, and their teachers remain in captivity.” He emphasized that a true mother would not celebrate during such a crisis but would instead use every available platform to highlight the plight of the missing children until their safe return.

The former Vice President highlighted that nearly three weeks after schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Oyo State on May 15, 2026, Nigerians continue to await their safe return. He asserted that the Federal Government appears “more preoccupied with political activities than with the anguish of desperate families whose loved ones remain in captivity.” Atiku found it difficult to reconcile a government claiming to care for its citizens with its projection of celebration while children and teachers are at the mercy of kidnappers, stressing that “leadership is not merely about occupying office; it is about demonstrating empathy when citizens are in distress.”

Atiku further lamented the painful and deeply disturbing contrast between the sleepless nights endured by the parents of the abducted children since May 15, and the “images of political gatherings, partisan celebrations, campaign-style events, and the distribution of vehicles to political allies” that Nigerians have been confronted with. He also criticized “extravagant displays of power,” including highly publicized convoys and political engagements, especially at a time when millions of citizens face severe economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty. He underscored the crucial importance of symbolism for public office holders during moments of national tragedy, stating that the nation expects “urgency” and “compassion” when children and teachers are abducted, not “political pageantry,” “campaign songs,” “celebrations,” or “luxury gifts” for loyalists.

The ADC presidential candidate warned that under the current administration, mass kidnappings have become so frequent that government officials no longer respond with the necessary urgency, which he believes inadvertently “emboldens criminals and deepens public despair.” He called upon the Federal Government to “immediately deploy every available security and intelligence resource” to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers, and to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.

Atiku concluded by emphasizing that history will remember leadership by its response to national tragedies, not by political meetings or distributed vehicles. He stated that Nigerians at this time require “leadership,” “results,” and the “safe return of every abducted child and teacher,” rather than “political choreography,” “celebrations,” or “propaganda.” He warned that until the safe return of the abducted individuals, every display of political merriment serves as a painful reminder of a government “increasingly disconnected from the suffering of its own people.”