Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, says that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not meet with victims of recent attacks in Jos, Plateau State, during his visit. He says that the president stayed at the airport the whole time.
Atiku’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, said in a statement on Thursday that the visit was a “choreographed spectacle” that was more about political optics than real concern for the people afflicted by the Palm Sunday killings.
He was worried about what he called the presidency’s rising “pattern of detachment” when it comes to responding to national calamities. He said that the visit wasn’t serious enough for the situation.
“It is both shocking and deeply insensitive that the President’s so-called ‘on-the-spot assessment’ was cut short to a brief stop at the foot of his aircraft—never going beyond the airport, never reaching the grieving communities, and never touching the pain of the victims,” the statement said.
Atiku also said that the visit was cut short so the president could go to Lagos for the Easter holidays. He called the decision a worrying prioritization during a time of national sorrow.
He further said that the victims were not treated well and that some were sent to the airport in Heipang, which is near Barkin Ladi, instead of the president visiting the areas or hospitals that were affected.
“At a time when families are grieving deeply, these activities turn real human grief into a staged show, putting looks ahead of empathy and respect. He said, “This is not only wrong; it is shameful.”
Atiku said that a similar pattern happened during his earlier visit to Benue State in June 2025. He said that the president stayed away from Yelwata, the center of violence, and instead turned the event into a political gathering.
Atiku said that even though Tinubu met with political and traditional leaders at the airport during his journey to Plateau, he did not reveal any clear policy direction or strong security measures to deal with the problem.
“This is not leadership; it’s indifference dressed up as rules.” He remarked, “A leader who can’t stand with his people in their darkest hour can’t convincingly say he’s fighting for their safety.”
Atiku ended by telling the government to stop making symbolic gestures and start taking real steps to improve security and protect lives and property.
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