- Safiu Kehinde
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to address victims of the Palma Sunday gunmen attack in Plateau community at the airport.
NPO Reported that the President’s address of the vicitms at the Jos airport on Thursday without visiting the Angwa Rukuban community wherr the tragic incident occurred had sparked public outrage.
Joining the dissenting voices, Obi, in a statement issued on his X handle on Friday, labelled Tinubu’s airport address as an evidence of absence of leadership.
He recalled the President’s similar visit to Benue state where he allegedly failed to visit the actual scene of the incident.
Obi maintained that true leadership entails presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people.
“During his visit to Benue State in June 2025, Bola Ahmed Tinubu stopped at the Government House but did not go to the actual scene where innocent Nigerians lost their lives.
“Similarly, yesterday in Jos, his engagement ended at the airport instead of at the affected communities.
“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.” He said.
The former Anambra governor held that the President’s address at the airport is inadequate as it further excerbated sense of abandonment already felt by Nigerians.
“For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate.
“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.” He said.
Obi called for a lesdership that stand with victims and listen to survivors.
“In such moments, leadership must not only be visible but also tangible—standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging the depth of their grief.
“If we truly desire a better Nigeria, we must demand leadership that is present, responsive, and responsible at all times.” He added.