Oyo school rescue has ‘unsettled’ opposition ahead of 2027, says pro-government group

A pro-government advocacy group has claimed that the successful rescue of 44 kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State has left opposition leaders “lukewarm” and “disarrayed” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The Democratic Front (TDF) expressed profound relief over the safe return of the hostages, who were abducted by terrorists from the Orire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

In a statement signed by Chairman Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary Wale Adedayo, the group hailed the rescue as a “landmark record” for the country’s security architecture under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

However, the TDF accused prominent opposition figures—including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi—of staying quiet because they can no longer use the tragedy for political advantage.

“We have observed that opposition politicians… who have been the most strident and vociferous critics of the government over the kidnapping… are suddenly lukewarm in their response,” the TDF statement read.

‘Ego-driven politics’

The TDF argued that the swift and successful security operation has “dashed” the opposition’s hopes of weaponizing the Oyo mass abduction as a campaign issue for the 2027 presidential contest.

The pro-government group launched a sharp critique of Mr Abubakar and Mr Obi, accusing them of failing to offer credible policy alternatives to President Tinubu’s economic reforms.

According to the TDF, the opposition leaders have instead engaged in “scandal fishing” to undermine the administration’s achievements.

“The duo’s refusal to acknowledge the valiant accomplishments of the Tinubu administration in the areas of security, as well as infrastructure and economic development… have reduced them into political clowns,” the group claimed.

Coordinated rescue praised

Putting political bickering aside, the group commended the seamless camaraderie and professionalism shown by Nigeria’s security agencies during the highly coordinated rescue mission.

The TDF urged federal security forces and local authorities to keep up the pressure and sustain the current momentum in the ongoing war against terrorism and banditry across the country.