Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria — Former governor of Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the manner in which he conducted a condolence visit following recent violence in Plateau State.
Okay News reports that Obi raised concerns after the president met victims of the attack at the airport in Jos instead of travelling to the affected communities where the killings occurred. The former Labour Party presidential candidate argued that leadership during crises requires physical presence among those directly impacted.
In a post shared on Friday, April 3, 2026, Obi described the decision as lacking compassion and empathy for victims who had suffered losses. He said, “What happened in Plateau yesterday highlights a complete absence of leadership. True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies.
“For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” Obi said.
Obi also referred to a similar presidential visit to Benue State in 2025, noting that he believed the president did not visit the actual scene of violence during that trip. He warned that such actions could deepen feelings of abandonment among communities experiencing repeated attacks.
“This approach exacerbates the sense of abandonment already felt by innocent Nigerians who have endured repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice.
“Plateau deserves more than distant words; it requires urgent action and a clear commitment to ending the insecurity that continues to claim innocent lives,” Obi added.
The comments followed controversy surrounding the president’s visit to Jos, where he met victims at the airport rather than proceeding to affected neighbourhoods. The Nigerian presidency earlier explained that logistical constraints, including operational limitations, prevented travel to the impacted areas.
However, critics argued that the decision created distance between national leadership and grieving communities.
The latest violence in Plateau State occurred on Palm Sunday in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen attacked residents. At least 27 people were killed and several others injured. The incident forms part of recurring clashes in the region, which has experienced long-standing tensions linked to ethnic, religious, and land disputes.
Observers say the debate over the president’s visit reflects broader national concerns about leadership responses to insecurity. The situation remains sensitive, with calls for stronger security measures and greater engagement with affected communities.
