The Adamawa State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vehemently criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his recent remarks concerning the terrorist assault on Wagga Mongoro in Madagali Local Government Area.
In a declaration released on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and endorsed by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Mohammed Abdullahi, the APC accused Atiku of leveraging a tragic event for political advantage.
Under the headline, ‘Atiku’s disgraceful exploitation of the Madagali attack,’ the statement declared, “The APC in Adamawa State condemns the insensitive and opportunistic comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the brutal terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Wagga Mongoro, Madagali LGA.”
The party asserted that Atiku once again demonstrated that for him, tragedy is not a time for empathy but a platform for political maneuvering. Rather than offering genuine support to the victims, he hastily released a statement filled with inaccuracies and falsehoods.
The APC described Atiku’s comments as “baseless and misleading,” noting they were “peppered with political insinuations.” They further criticized his statement for misidentifying the location and misreporting the number of casualties, calling it “a series of blunders.”
“Upon learning of the incident, Atiku rushed to issue a misleading and politically charged statement. It is evident from his words that he either lacks understanding of the facts or is deliberately distorting them, or perhaps both. His errors regarding the location and casualty figures were glaring and unacceptable,” the statement emphasized.
The party held Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration, in which he served, responsible for creating the conditions that have led to the current security challenges.
“It is ironic that Atiku, whose ineffective leadership significantly contributed to today’s insecurity, is now shamelessly exploiting the very crisis he helped foster to advance his malicious agenda to destabilize the nation. The PDP government, where he was second-in-command, is largely accountable for this predicament,” the statement asserted.
Adamawa APC also reproached Atiku for neglecting his home state during his tenure, stating, “Despite his recent declarations, Atiku failed to improve Adamawa’s situation when he had the opportunity, neglecting meaningful development projects and abandoning his hometown of Jada, focusing instead on personal business interests.”
The statement recalled that during the height of Boko Haram’s terror in the Northeast, Atiku remained silent as communities were devastated, families displaced, and livelihoods shattered. “Now that peace is gradually being restored under APC leadership, he suddenly finds his voice-not to foster unity, but to exploit the situation,” the party remarked.
Defending the current government’s efforts, the APC maintained that “the administration Atiku seeks to undermine is making significant progress in restoring security. Competent, dedicated, and patriotic individuals are managing the crisis, providing robust support to our courageous armed forces and security personnel.”
The party condemned Atiku’s remarks as a “shameless politicization of tragedy,” labeling them “patronizing” and highlighting his disconnect from the people he purports to represent.
“This blatant politicization of sorrow is not only disrespectful but also a stark indication of Atiku’s detachment from the populace he claims to advocate for. No leader of his stature should exploit grief to tarnish others for personal political gain. Such behavior is callous and irresponsible,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its stance, the APC declared: “We stand in solidarity with the victims of Wagga Mongoro. We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected, pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, and pledge our unwavering commitment to eradicating these ruthless insurgents.”
The statement concluded by emphasizing that the people of Adamawa are discerning: “They recognize the difference between sincere compassion and hollow gestures. They remember who stood by them during their darkest moments-and who is now cynically exploiting their pain for political advantage.”