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Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over what he described as a lack of compassion and visible leadership in response to recent attacks in Plateau State.
Obi spoke in a statement shared on his official X page on Tuesday.
He said leadership in times of tragedy must go beyond official appearances, stressing that empathy and physical presence in affected communities are critical.
“True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor recalled that during a visit to Benue State in June 2025, the President stopped at the Government House without visiting affected communities, adding that a similar situation played out in Jos where engagement reportedly ended at the airport.
“For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” he added.
Obi maintained that beyond words, urgent and practical steps must be taken to address insecurity, insisting that Plateau and other affected areas deserve decisive action and reassurance from leadership.
As reactions trailed the statement, some Nigerians took to the comment section to express concern over what they described as a disconnect between leadership and the realities on ground.
An X user, Chukwu alleged that insecurity in the country has been politicised, noting that, “Nigeria have politicians that have weaponised insecurity to destabilise communities while using security forces to suppress dissenting voices.”
Another commenter, Ojukwu Di Ndu, said moments of grief demand more empathy from leaders, “Leadership without compassion feels empty, especially in times of grief. The people of Plateau and Benue deserve a leader who shows up where the pain is greatest.”
Also reacting, an X user identified as Mayor of Calabar said the situation in Jos requires more than distant engagement, adding that, “The people of Jos deserve more than an airport tarmac speech after such horrific loss. We must demand leaders who stand with victims, not above them.”
Similarly, another X user, Dennis, criticised what he described as a lack of direct engagement with affected communities, “Addressing victims from an airport tarmac while their communities are in ruins isn’t leadership, it’s an insult.”
Obi faults Tinubu’s response to Plateau killings, Nigerians react
