By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has counselled President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the security of Nigerians over campaign activities for the 2027 general election, even as he welcomed the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State.

In a statement on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku commended the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies whose gallantry made the rescue operation possible.

The former vice president noted that it was particularly striking that the Ogbomoso schoolchildren and their teachers regained their freedom on the very day the national leadership of the president’s party launched its “Door-to-Door” campaign for the 2027 presidential election.

He said, “No serious government should be consumed by the politics of re-election while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks. The first campaign of any responsible administration must be the campaign to rescue its citizens, restore security and reassure anxious families. Politics can wait; the lives of innocent children cannot. Yesterday should have been dedicated to the war room, not the campaign room.”

Atiku said that while the military rose to the occasion, the presidency failed to rise to the moment.

“What Nigerians expected yesterday was to see a commander-in-chief leading from the front. Following the successful rescue operation, the president ought to have immediately addressed the nation alongside his defence chiefs—not merely to announce the good news, but to brief Nigerians on the operation; acknowledge the bravery of the troops; highlight the lessons learned; reassure families that no effort would be spared to rescue those still in captivity; and send an unmistakable message to bandits and terrorists that the Nigerian state remains resolute.

“Such moments are not ordinary press events; they are defining demonstrations of leadership that strengthen public confidence, boost military morale, and remind criminal elements that they are confronting a government that neither sleeps nor surrenders,” Atiku said.

Instead, he observed, the responsibility of announcing one of the most significant security successes in recent times was left to the president’s spokesman while the president remained publicly engaged in political activities.

The former vice president warned that symbolism matters greatly in the fight against terrorism. “When our troops accomplish a difficult mission, they deserve visible presidential recognition. When citizens witness their President speaking with conviction after such an operation, they draw strength and confidence. Equally, those who seek to terrorise our people are reminded that they are confronting a united and determined state. The opposite risks creating an unfortunate perception that politics has taken precedence over the solemn responsibility of securing the nation.

“There is an old African proverb that says, ‘When the drum of danger beats, the village chief does not send a messenger to dance in his place.’ Yesterday belonged to our brave soldiers, and they acquitted themselves with honour. But it should also have been the moment for the commander-in-chief to stand before the nation, salute their courage, comfort anxious families and send a chilling message to every bandit and terrorist that the Nigerian state will pursue them without rest until every captive is free. Leadership is not only measured by victories won on the battlefield but also by the courage displayed from the highest office in moments that define a nation,” Atiku said.

He stressed that the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should not distract the nation from the painful reality that many other Nigerians, including abducted schoolchildren and innocent citizens in Borno and several other parts of the country, remain in captivity.

According to him, the greatest campaign any president can undertake is not for re-election but for the safety and security of the Nigerian people.

Atiku urged the federal government to sustain relentless pressure on terrorists, bandits and kidnappers until every abducted Nigerian is rescued and every community under siege regains peace and security.

The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship campaign in Osun State, Adebisi Nurein Debo, has reaffirmed the party’s opposition to vote buying and election violence.

Debo spoke on Friday at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform, where he described the ADC as an emerging political force and defended the party’s campaign strategy.

The ADC campaign spokesperson who condemned vote buying and vote selling also urged voters not to exchange their votes for financial inducements.

“Collect whatever money is offered because it is everybody’s common wealth, but do not vote for them,” he said.

While outlining the ADC policy direction ahead of the 2026 governorship election, Debo disclosed that the party has grown significantly within the last year, saying the party has become a serious opposition coalition in Osun State.

“A year ago nobody spoke of the ADC. A year and five days today, ADC has become a serious contending coalition of opposition. The result is there to show because the ADC is a force to reckon with,” he said.

He added that the party rejected popularity gained through election violence, maintaining that the ADC remained committed to peaceful democratic participation.

Debo said the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, had a clear vision for Osun anchored on the ADC’s 10-point agenda. 

He added that, apart from former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, only Salaam had presented a prepared development plan for the state, warning that “trial and error will lead to multiplicity of errors.”

He said the party’s agenda prioritises workers’ welfare, agriculture, security, commerce and business without increasing taxes, improved electricity supply to boost productivity, and good governance through people-oriented policies.

According to him, “the ADC aims to implement at least 70 per cent of its campaign promises within the first three years of assuming office.”

He also alleged that the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State had engaged in “political agenda theft.”

Debo assured residents that Salaam would provide good and visionary leadership if elected and disclosed that an ADC administration would focus on talent discovery and create employment opportunities for 20,000 youths within its first 100 days in office.

Speaking on Salaam’s relationship with former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Debo said “Aregbesola had established himself as a household name in Osun and Nigerian politics, adding that Salaam’s alignment with the former governor had strengthened his electoral appeal. Aregbesola is a mentor and leader to Najeem Salaam.”

On local government administration in the state, Debo attributed the current situation to what he described as abuse of power by the APC and incompetence by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke. 

He also claimed to observe a dangerous political trade by barter between Abuja and Osogbo over the issue and questioned the governor’s endorsement of “his tormentor in chief.”

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Osita Okechukwu, on Saturday urged President Bola Tinubu to delegate greater responsibilities to Kashim Shettima to oversee the nation’s economic affairs, having retained him as Vice President ahead of 2027.

Okechukwu said he was delighted that after all the speculation, rigmarole and political maneuvering surrounding the issue, Tinubu graciously retained Vice President Shettima.

The party chieftain said his call is against the backdrop that the economic reforms of Tinubu have yielded significant gains at the macroeconomic stability level, noting however, that hunger and poverty remain pressing issues deserving attention.

Okechukwu in a statement said, “May I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for graciously retaining His Excellency Kashim Shettima as Vice President and humbly request that more powers be delegated to him to oversee economic affairs.

“I am making this humble appeal based on the fact that the economic reforms of Mr. President have yielded significant gains at the macroeconomic stability level.

“However, hunger and poverty remain pressing challenges, which invariably require the urgent delegation of greater economic responsibilities to the Vice President, given his background in rural development and economic management.”

Okechukwu recalled that even the International Monetary Fund, IMF, godfather of neoliberalism and leading advocate of neoliberal economic policies, noted in its 2026 Article IV Consultation on Nigeria that the country requires more inclusive growth, as approximately 63 percent of Nigerians now live below the national poverty line.

He stressed that while the President’s economic reforms have improved key macroeconomic indicators, greater attention must be directed toward translating those gains into tangible improvements in the living standards of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, Vice President Shettima’s academic background in Agricultural Economics, experience in banking, and record in public service place him in a strong position to support efforts aimed at reducing poverty, promoting rural development, and ensuring that economic growth becomes more inclusive.

You may like

Rep member, Agbese writes Tinubu, rejects NYSC reforms, gives reasons







Tinubu, APC leaders afraid of El-Rufai – Barde







We have reconciled over 400 aggrieved party members after disputed primaries – Jigawa APC 







NDC urges Nigerians to register for PVC ahead of 2027 elections







NGF congratulates Tinubu, families of rescued Oyo schoolchildren, teachers







After years of delays, Tinubu delivers Wasa relocation promise to Apo mechanics, traders







Jigawa ADC governorship candidate Nakudu rejects calls for his replacement







‘Big relief’ – Makinde reacts to rescued Oyo schoolchildren, teachers, thanks Tinubu







I am profoundly happy – President Tinubu reacts to rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers