Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s condolence visit to Plateau State, describing it as inadequate and insensitive in the face of national tragedy. Atiku’s remarks, issued Thursday in Abuja through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, focused on what he called a troubling disconnect between leadership and the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku argued that Tinubu’s response to the killings in Jos, particularly the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba that left at least 27 people dead, failed to demonstrate the empathy and urgency required. He said the visit amounted to a brief stop at the airport rather than a meaningful engagement with grieving families and communities.
“It is both shocking and deeply insensitive that several days after the gruesome killings of innocent citizens, the President’s so-called ‘on-the-spot assessment’ was reduced to a brief stop at the foot of his aircraft, never extending beyond the airport, never reaching the grieving communities, and never touching the pain of the victims,” Atiku stated.
He further alleged that the visit appeared hurriedly curtailed so Tinubu could proceed to Lagos for Easter holidays, a decision Atiku described as troubling prioritisation in the face of national grief. He accused the President of turning what should have been a solemn occasion into a political spectacle by meeting party loyalists under the guise of official engagement.
Atiku linked Tinubu’s Plateau visit to what he described as a recurring pattern of politically driven responses to tragedies. He recalled a similar condolence visit to Benue State in June 2025, which he said avoided the worst-hit community and instead became a political gathering. According to him, the repetition suggests a consistent approach rather than an isolated lapse.
“In Plateau, the President neither visited the bereaved families nor the injured receiving treatment in hospitals. He offered no concrete policy direction, no decisive security intervention, and no reassurance that such horrors would not recur,” Atiku said. He added that Tinubu’s actions reflected indifference dressed as protocol and failed to inspire confidence in government’s commitment to citizens’ safety.
Tinubu’s visit included a meeting with a grieving mother whose anguish had gone viral after she was filmed clutching the body of her son. Addressing her by name, the President acknowledged her loss and assured families of government support, noting that no compensation could replace lives lost.
Speaking through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the attacks as “barbaric and cowardly” and vowed that perpetrators would be brought to justice. He directed security chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, to intensify efforts to arrest those responsible.
Tinubu was received in Jos by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and other senior officials. His administration has insisted that the visit demonstrated solidarity with victims and a commitment to justice.
Atiku, however, maintained that the President’s approach reflected a deeper problem of leadership disconnect. He argued that Nigerians expect their leaders to stand with them in moments of grief, not to stage symbolic appearances that avoid the realities of tragedy.
The contrasting narratives highlight the political tension surrounding Tinubu’s handling of national crises. While the government frames the visit as a show of empathy and resolve, critics like Atiku see it as evidence of insensitivity and misplaced priorities.
As Plateau residents continue to mourn, the debate underscores broader concerns about how Nigeria’s leadership responds to insecurity and communal violence. Atiku’s intervention adds pressure on the administration to demonstrate not only sympathy but also decisive action to prevent future tragedies.
