The Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu for his recent visit to Plateau State following the deadly Jos attack. Obi faulted the President for meeting victims at the airport instead of visiting the communities directly affected by the violence.
In a post on X on Friday, Obi argued that such a gesture lacked empathy and fell short of what true leadership demands during a crisis.
“What happened in Plateau yesterday shows a serious absence of leadership. True leadership requires presence, compassion, and the willingness to meet people where their suffering is,” Obi wrote. “For those who have lost loved ones and homes, being addressed from an airport tarmac is not enough.”
He also pointed to a similar incident in Benue State in 2025, suggesting a pattern in how the Presidency handles such tragedies. Obi stressed that distant gestures only deepen the sense of abandonment felt by Nigerians living under recurring cycles of violence.
“Plateau deserves more than words from afar; it needs urgent action and a firm commitment to ending insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives,” he added.
Obi called on political leaders to be responsive and show genuine dedication to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The President’s visit to Jos was met with criticism, as he only met victims at the airport. The Presidency explained that logistical challenges prevented Tinubu from entering the affected communities. Critics, however, say the approach reflects a disconnect from victims and a lack of sensitivity to their plight.
The recent attack occurred on Palm Sunday in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen killed at least 27 people and injured several others. Plateau State continues to face recurrent communal and sectarian violence, often linked to ethnic, religious, and land disputes.