President Bola Tinubu has defended his engagement with victims of the Plateau crisis at the airport, amid outrage over the brief interaction with stakeholders and affected persons, saying logistical and security constraints made it impossible to travel into Jos town during the visit.
In a statement on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu’s schedule included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa and a planned trip to Iperu, Ogun State, before the Plateau visit was inserted following a briefing by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
RELATED NEWS:
- Plateau Attack: Amnesty International Urges Tinubu To End Bloodshed
- Night of Terror in Jos As Gunmen Attack Plateau Community, Casualties Feared
- Plateau Attack: Police, Community Clash Over Death Toll
He said the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader ran longer than expected, affecting the President’s movement to Jos, while adding that night travel restrictions at the airport and time constraints made it unsafe to proceed into the city.
According to him, representatives of affected communities were instead brought to a hall near the airport where the President met them alongside top security chiefs, including the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of Police.
Onanuga said the engagement was not symbolic but part of broader efforts to address insecurity in Plateau State, including plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras and further consultations with community leaders.
Atiku Blasts Tinubu’s Brief Visit, Calls It “Choreographed Spectacle”
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the President’s handling of the visit, describing it as a “choreographed spectacle” rather than a genuine engagement with victims.
In a statement issued by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku faulted Tinubu for not visiting the affected communities, insisting that limiting the engagement to the airport showed insensitivity to the plight of victims.
He alleged that victims were transported from different parts of Jos to the airport area for what he called a staged appearance, arguing that the President should have gone to the communities or visited hospitals instead.
Atiku further claimed that the visit reflected poor leadership priorities, accusing the administration of focusing on optics rather than providing concrete solutions to insecurity.
He also referenced previous presidential visits to crisis zones, alleging a pattern of avoiding direct engagement with affected communities.
According to him, Nigerians are demanding decisive action on insecurity, not symbolic visits or protocol-driven appearances.
“Leadership is not ceremonial. Nigerians need security, not staged sympathy,” he said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
