Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, criticises former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for not issuing a public response after the release of the Oriire school pupils and their teachers in Oyo State. The outlets report that Onanuga’s comments come from a statement posted on his official page on July 11, 2026, noting that nearly 18 hours have passed since the victims regained freedom.
According to Onanuga, Atiku previously raised the abduction as a campaign issue multiple times while the victims were still in captivity, which lasted 57 days, but has not commented since their release. The reports also cite Onanuga’s view that Atiku’s lack of reaction contrasts with what he describes as acknowledgement and praise directed toward the response of the Tinubu federal government and security agencies.
In the same statement, Onanuga commends presidential candidate Peter Obi for recognising the victims’ freedom and calling for thanksgiving after the pupils and teachers were released. The articles present Onanuga’s remarks as criticism of Atiku’s silence and praise for Obi’s public response.
