A presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, declaring that he would have personally led efforts to secure their rescue if he were Nigeria’s president.
Obi said effective leadership requires visible action during national emergencies, insisting that he would not have waited for more than 50 days before taking decisive steps to free the victims.
The former Anambra State governor spoke during an interview on Afia TV on Thursday while reacting to the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
PLATFORM TIMES recalls that gunmen on May 15 attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all within Oriire LGA.
The attacks claimed two lives, while at least 45 pupils and teachers were abducted, according to the Oyo State Police Command.
The incident forced the Oyo State Government to shut schools in four local government areas as security agencies launched rescue operations.
After spending nearly two months in captivity, the Presidency announced on July 10 that all the abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom.
Reacting to the incident, Obi faulted what he described as the Federal Government’s slow response, arguing that decisive leadership could have shortened the victims’ ordeal.
He also criticised Tinubu for allegedly failing to personally contact Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde throughout the more than 50-day crisis.
Obi said, “The president did not call the governor. What do you mean? Fifty days.
“But I would have been there within two days. Is the bush not in Nigeria? That bush is in Nigeria.
“Everybody in that bush would come out. There might be casualties, but everybody would come out.”
The former governor maintained that security operations against kidnappers should be more transparent, saying Nigerians deserve to know the outcome of rescue missions and the fate of those responsible.
“It is time we say we have resolved something. We arrest some people, parade them and let Nigerians see them. What is happening?
“When America and some other countries neutralise criminals, they show the results. Everybody sees it.
“In Nigeria, everything is shrouded in secrecy,” Obi said.
The Presidency has yet to respond to Obi’s latest remarks.
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