By Denis Agbo

Former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Josef Onoh, has distanced the President from comments by All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, which linked the kidnapping of schoolchildren to alleged attempts to stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

In a statement issued to journalists on Saturday, Onoh said Tinubu does not share the views expressed by Igbokwe and would never engage in politics at the expense of Nigerians’ lives.

Igbokwe, in a publication that circulated widely, reportedly claimed that the kidnapping of schoolchildren was aimed at preventing President Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election, describing such a move as a poor strategy.

The APC chieftain also urged governors to take greater responsibility for security in their states with support from the Federal Government, while describing kidnapping as a lucrative criminal enterprise.

Reacting, Onoh said such remarks could create the impression of federal helplessness in tackling insecurity or suggest support for the fragmentation of the country’s security architecture, positions he insisted do not reflect the President’s views.

According to him, Tinubu has adopted a comprehensive strategy focused on addressing the root causes of insecurity rather than shifting responsibility for the challenge.

He maintained that combating insecurity requires unified federal leadership, intelligence sharing and coordinated military and non-military interventions, warning against approaches that could create what he described as “security fiefdoms” susceptible to local political influence.

Onoh highlighted several measures undertaken by the administration, including intensified military and intelligence operations against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping networks across the North-West, North-East and parts of the South.

He also cited successful rescue operations in states such as Kebbi and Kwara, improved deployment of special forces, technology-driven surveillance, infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing rapid security response, youth empowerment programmes and agricultural initiatives designed to address poverty-related drivers of crime.

The former presidential spokesman further noted that the Federal Government has continued to collaborate with state governors while retaining federal responsibility for defence and intelligence matters, strengthening legal frameworks for prosecuting kidnappers and improving inter-agency coordination through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“These efforts reflect a clear strategic focus: decimate the criminal ecosystems making kidnapping lucrative, rather than merely negotiating with or accommodating them,” he said.

Onoh described Igbokwe’s publication as insensitive to the feelings of Nigerians, especially families affected by kidnappings and other forms of violent crime.

He argued that reducing the crisis to a political narrative or suggesting a new security approach because kidnapping has become a business risked trivialising the suffering of victims.

“Nigerians expect empathy, unity and results from leaders across party lines, not statements that could be weaponised by opposition elements to score cheap political points,” he said.

Onoh also noted that insecurity predates the Tinubu administration, attributing the challenge to years of policy failures, porous borders, illegal arms trafficking and socio-economic difficulties.

He urged APC leaders and stakeholders to ensure that public comments on security issues align with the President’s stated commitment to restoring safety across the country.

According to him, the administration remains focused on delivering a safer and more prosperous Nigeria through sustained security operations, victim rescue efforts and programmes aimed at addressing the underlying causes of crime.