Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned what he described as the “shocking insensitivity” of the Tinubu administration especially the First Lady Remi Tinubu to the plight of abducted schoolchildren, teachers and their families, questioning the propriety of political celebrations while victims remain in captivity.
The criticism was contained in a statement released on Friday, and signed by Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement came days after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu inaugurated the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB), a pro-Tinubu support group, at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja and announced the donation of vehicles to APC women leaders in five opposition-controlled states.
The former Vice President expressed particular disappointment that many of the activities drawing public criticism were personally anchored by the First Lady.
“The First Lady is often serenaded by supporters with the popular Niger Delta refrain, ‘Na our mama be this o,’ and frequently presented as the mother of the nation. However, he said Nigerians are entitled to ask a painful question: what kind of mother can comfortably sleep, dance, celebrate political victories, receive campaign groups, and distribute luxury vehicles while toddlers, schoolchildren, and their teachers remain in captivity?”
Atiku stated, “A true mother does not celebrate while her children are missing. A true mother does not preside over political festivities while families are trapped in agony, praying daily for the safe return of their loved ones.
“A true mother would use every platform available to keep the plight of those children at the forefront of national consciousness until they are safely reunited with their families.”
Atiku said that nearly three weeks after schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Oyo State on May 15, 2026, Nigerians were still waiting for their safe return while the Federal Government appeared “more preoccupied with political activities than with the anguish of desperate families whose loved ones remain in captivity.”
He condemned what he described as the shocking insensitivity of the Tinubu administration to the plight of the abducted pupils, teachers, their traumatised families, and indeed the entire nation,” the statement said.
According to Atiku, “it is difficult to understand how a government that claims to care for its citizens could continue to project an atmosphere of celebration while innocent children and their teachers remain at the mercy of kidnappers.”
He added that “leadership is not merely about occupying office; it is about demonstrating empathy when citizens are in distress.”
The former Vice President noted that while parents of the abducted children have endured sleepless nights since May 15, worrying about the fate of their sons and daughters, Nigerians have instead been confronted with “images of political gatherings, partisan celebrations, campaign-style events, and the distribution of vehicles to political allies.”
“The contrast is both painful and deeply disturbing.”
Atiku also criticised what he described as “extravagant displays of power, including highly publicised convoys 0and political engagements, at a time when millions of citizens are battling economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty. He stressed that public office holders must understand that symbolism matters, particularly during moments of national tragedy.”
He said, “When children are missing, the nation expects urgency. When teachers are abducted, the nation expects compassion. What Nigerians do not expect is political pageantry.
“They do not expect campaign songs. They do not expect celebrations. They certainly do not expect luxury gifts being handed out to political loyalists while families are living through one of the darkest moments of their lives.”
Atiku further lamented that under the Tinubu administration, “mass kidnappings appear to have become so frequent that government officials no longer respond with the sense of urgency such tragedies demand.”
He warned that “when leaders become comfortable with recurring acts of terror, they inadvertently embolden criminals and deepen public despair.”
The ADC presidential candidate called on the Federal Government to “immediately deploy every available security and intelligence resource towards securing the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers” and ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.
He added that history would not remember “how many political meetings were held, how many support groups were entertained, or how many vehicles were distributed.”
“Rather, it will remember whether those entrusted with leadership rose to the occasion when innocent children were taken from their families and a grieving nation cried out for compassion, urgency, and action.”
Atiku concluded by saying, “At a time like this, Nigerians do not need political choreography. They need leadership. They do not need celebrations. They need results.
“They do not need propaganda. They need the safe return of every abducted child and teacher. Until that happens, every display of political merriment is a painful reminder of a government that appears increasingly disconnected from the suffering of its own people.”