***Asks: What Kind Of Mother Celebrates While Children Remain In Captivity?
ABUJA — Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, accusing the Federal Government of focusing on politics while abducted schoolchildren and their teachers remain in the hands of kidnappers.
Atiku expressed outrage that nearly three weeks after pupils and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo State on May 15, 2026, the victims have yet to regain their freedom, while government officials continue to participate in political events and celebrations.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President described the situation as a painful reflection of what he called the administration’s growing disconnect from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
He said: “It is difficult to understand how a government that claims to care for its citizens can continue to project an atmosphere of celebration while innocent children and their teachers remain at the mercy of kidnappers.”
Atiku reserved some of his strongest criticism for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, questioning her role in political activities amid the national concern over the fate of the abducted children.
The former Vice President noted that the First Lady is often celebrated by supporters as the “mother of the nation,” but argued that Nigerians have a right to ask whether a mother should be seen celebrating while children remain in captivity.
“What kind of mother can comfortably sleep, dance, celebrate political victories, receive campaign groups and distribute luxury vehicles while schoolchildren and their teachers remain in captivity?” he asked.
According to Atiku, parents of the abducted children have endured sleepless nights and emotional trauma since the incident, while the public has been confronted with images of political gatherings, campaign-style events and the distribution of vehicles to political associates.
“A true mother does not celebrate while her children are missing. A true mother would use every available platform to keep the plight of those children before the nation until they are safely reunited with their families,” he stated.
The former Vice President also criticised what he described as extravagant displays of power and influence by government officials at a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, economic hardship and uncertainty.
“When children are missing, the nation expects urgency. When teachers are abducted, the nation expects compassion. What Nigerians do not expect is political pageantry, campaign songs and celebrations,” he said.
Atiku lamented that mass kidnappings have become so frequent under the present administration that government officials no longer react with the urgency such tragedies demand.
He warned that when leaders become accustomed to recurring acts of terror, criminals become emboldened while public confidence in government continues to erode.
The ADC presidential candidate called on the Federal Government to deploy all available security and intelligence resources to secure the immediate release of the abducted pupils and teachers and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
“History will not remember how many political meetings were held or how many vehicles were distributed. It will remember whether those entrusted with leadership rose to the occasion when innocent children were taken from their families.
“At a time like this, Nigerians do not need political choreography. They need leadership. They do not need celebrations. They need results. They need the safe return of every abducted child and teacher,” Atiku declared.
