Onoh says kidnappings are unrelated to 2027 politics, counters Igbokwe

By Denis Agbo

Former South‑East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Josef Onoh, has clarified that the President does not share the views of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Joe Igbokwe, who linked the kidnapping of schoolchildren to alleged attempts to thwart Tinubu’s 2027 re‑election bid.

In a statement released to journalists on Saturday, Onoh said Tinubu would never engage in politics at the expense of Nigerians’ lives and that the President’s stance is contrary to Igbokwe’s remarks.

Igbokwe’s publication, which circulated widely, claimed that the kidnapping of schoolchildren was intended to prevent Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election, calling such a strategy “poor.” He also urged governors to assume greater responsibility for state security with federal support and described kidnapping as a lucrative criminal enterprise.

Onoh warned that Igbokwe’s comments could create the impression of federal helplessness in tackling insecurity or suggest support for fragmenting the country’s security architecture—positions he said do not reflect the President’s views.

According to Onoh, Tinubu has adopted a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity rather than shifting responsibility for the challenge. He emphasized that combating insecurity requires unified federal leadership, intelligence sharing and coordinated military and non‑military interventions, warning against approaches that could create “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 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.

The post Kidnappings not about 2027 politics, Onoh counters Igbokwe appeared first on Vanguard News.