The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to personally visit Kebbi State, where 26 schoolgirls were recently abducted.

On Friday, Tinubu cancelled his planned trips to South Africa and Angola to address escalating security concerns in the country. Consequently, Vice President Kashim Shettima left Abuja to represent the President at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg and will also lead Nigeria’s delegation to the AU–EU Summit in Angola.

A statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the development, noting that Tinubu postponed his trip to await further security briefings on incidents in Kebbi and Kwara states.

The President’s decision came after a series of violent events, including the abduction of students in Kebbi, an attack and abduction at a church in Eruku, Kwara State, and the kidnapping of pupils at St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.

Tinubu will remain in Abuja to receive situation reports from security chiefs and oversee ongoing operations. He has also directed security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue efforts and strengthen preventive deployments in affected areas.

However, the ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, criticized the cancellation of the President’s trip, calling it “political theatre.” Abdullahi said, “It is meaningless. If the President is staying back because of these issues, why not go to Kebbi or Kwara? Everything this government does is about optics and drama. If he wants to show concern, he should go to Kebbi himself. He is the Commander-in-Chief, not his Vice President. Sending his VP does not substitute for his personal involvement.”