By Adefemi Bayode Adebisi
Bayo Onanuga’s Attack on Atiku Misses the Point as Questions About the Oriire Pupils’ Release Continue to Mount
The release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State should ordinarily be a moment of relief and celebration for their families and for the nation, every Nigerian is grateful that innocent children and their teachers have returned home safely
However, instead of focusing on the security failures that led to the abduction and the lessons that must be learned from the incident, Bayo Onanuga who happens to be the Presidency’s spokesman chose to attack former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his alleged silence on the matter which he appears to have missed the central and the core issue
The real question is not whether Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi or any other opposition leader reacted quickly enough but the real question is whether Nigerians have been given a complete and transparent account of what transpired before, during and after the release of the victims
Interestingly, some of the questions now being raised are not even coming from opposition politicians rather they are being raised by social commentators who are not known to be allies of Atiku or the opposition, concerns have been expressed about the circumstances surrounding the release, the details of the rescue operation, the number of people shown in public photographs, the whereabouts of those reportedly killed during the ordeal and whether any suspects have been apprehended, truth be told, whether these concerns are ultimately validated or not, they really point to a broader reality that Nigerians want answers, they want transparency and they want accountability which in its true sense part of their fundamental human rights
Rather than addressing these concerns, the Presidency appears more interested in scoring political points against opposition figures and yet attacking Atiku does not answer the questions that many Nigerians are asking
- What exactly led to the release of the victims?
- Were arrests made, and who are the perpetrators?
- What happened to those who reportedly lost their lives?
- What measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence?
- What support is being provided to the affected families?
These are the questions that deserve national attention
The unfortunate truth is that insecurity has become a recurring challenge across the country even order of the day in our country From kidnapping to banditry and violence, our Nation continue to live under the shadow of uncertainty and In such circumstances, citizens expect leadership not political distractions
This is precisely why the conversation inevitably turns to alternatives and to the kind of leadership Nigerians want come 2027
Many Nigerians who support Atiku Abubakar argue that governance should be measured by outcomes rather than political messaging, they believe that the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property, strengthen institutions, create economic opportunities and ensure that citizens remain at the center of public policy
From these people, the appeal of Atiku is not merely about changing the occupant of Aso Rock but centers about embracing a different philosophy of governance which should prioritize solutions over propaganda, accountability over excuses and performance over public relations
They argue that a government confident in its achievements would welcome scrutiny rather than attack critics also would it answer difficult questions rather than shift the conversation to opposition politicians, It would understand that transparency is not a weakness but a cornerstone of democratic leadership
Supporters of Atiku believe that insecurity cannot be defeated through speeches and political rhetoric alone but It requires a comprehensive plan that combines effective policing, intelligence gathering, economic empowerment, stronger institutions and better cooperation between different levels of government which such approach addresses both the immediate security threats and the deeper causes of crime, such as poverty, unemployment and weak institutions
As the 2027 election draws closer we believe that Nigerians will have the opportunity to choose the kind of leadership and direction they want for the country, regardless of political affiliation, many citizens are becoming more concerned about issues such as insecurity, rising prices, unemployment, economic hardship and how effectively the country is being governed, they are looking for leaders who pay attention to their concerns, communicate honestly with them and take practical steps to solve problems
That is why Bayo Onanuga’s criticism of Atiku misses the point, the issue is not whether an opposition leader offered praise or condemnation after the release of the Oriire pupils but the issue is whether government is fulfilling its fundamental obligation to protect its citizens and provide transparent answers when questions arise
In the end, the debate should not be about personalities but should be about performance, it should be about building a Nigeria where every child’s safety matters, every citizen’s voice counts and every government understands that power is a trust held on behalf of the people but not a privilege to be defended through political attacks.
Until those expectations are met, Nigerians will continue to ask questions, demand answers and seek leaders who place the welfare of the people above partisan considerations
Adefemi Bayode Adebisi, is
Member, Social media Firestorm Committee
The Narrative Force
