The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Plateau State, describing it as a “complete absence of leadership” over his failure to visit the Angwan Rukuba community where 27 people were killed.

President Tinubu was in Plateau on Thursday to sympathise with victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, near Jos. However, his visit was limited to a town hall meeting with political and traditional leaders at Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang.

In a statement shared on Friday, Obi faulted the president for not visiting the actual scene of the attack. He compared the development to Tinubu’s June 2025 visit to Benue State, where he also did not go to affected communities.

Obi argued that addressing grieving citizens from an airport setting falls short of the expectations of responsive leadership.

He warned that such actions deepen the sense of abandonment among Nigerians already facing recurring violence and insecurity.

“What happened in Plateau highlights a complete absence of leadership,” Obi said.

“True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies.”

He added, “Leadership must be visible and tangible standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging their grief.”

Obi stressed the need for urgent action to tackle insecurity, insisting that Nigerians deserve leadership that is “present, responsive, and responsible.”

By Benue Info-pedia