Obi slams Tinubu’s ‘airport leadership’ amid Plateau violence

Abdullateef Fowewe

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s response to recent violence in Plateau State, calling it a stark example of leadership lacking compassion.

In a post on X on Friday, Obi highlighted Tinubu’s visits to crisis-hit areas, noting that during a June 2025 trip to Benue State, the president stopped at the Government House but skipped the tragedy site.

He drew a parallel to “yesterday in Jos,” where Tinubu’s engagement reportedly ended at the airport rather than 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,” Obi wrote.

Obi described addressing victims “from an airport tarmac” as “profoundly inadequate” for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and security. He argued this fuels a “sense of abandonment” amid recurring violence without 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 added.

Obi called for “leadership that is present, responsive, and responsible.”