Bayo Onanuga, the president's special adviser on information and strategy, has attacked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for failing to publicly acknowledge the release of the Oriire schoolchildren and their teachers. In a statement posted on July 11, 2026, Onanuga said Atiku had weaponised the 57-day abduction during his campaign but stayed silent after the victims regained freedom.
"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 traumatised victims," Onanuga said.
He noted that Atiku had repeatedly raised the kidnapping as a campaign issue during the captivity period. "Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago," the adviser stated.
Onanuga questioned Atiku's silence following the victims' release. "Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku's internet lane.
No comment. No words of praise," he wrote.
The presidential adviser suggested Atiku might be waiting for negative developments before attacking the Tinubu administration. "Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration," Onanuga said.
However, Onanuga praised Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, for responding appropriately. "Kudos to Peter Obi: at least he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the commander-in-chief," he noted.
The Oriire schoolchildren and their teachers were freed after spending nearly two months in captivity, sparking celebrations across Nigeria.
