In a scathing criticism, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State. Tinubu attended the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on Saturday. Atiku, a former Vice President, accused the President of prioritizing social events over the pressing issues facing Nigerians, especially those in the North Central region, which is severely impacted by violence and insecurity.
In a post shared via his official social media account, Atiku expressed his dismay over the President’s decision to attend a funeral in Plateau, one of the states plagued by violent attacks, instead of visiting communities ravaged by insecurity. He described Tinubu’s actions as a “sad reflection of priorities” and a “mockery of leadership.”
“With vast portions of the country still under siege by violent elements, and thousands of innocent lives lost, it is deeply unfortunate that President Bola Tinubu has not yet deemed it important to visit any of the affected states to console the grieving citizens,” Atiku said.
Atiku further criticized the President’s lack of empathy, alleging that Tinubu’s attendance at the funeral event was a stark demonstration of his failure to empathize with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. He pointed out that despite the ongoing crisis, the President has yet to visit regions like Benue, Niger, and Kwara, which have also suffered continuous attacks.
“At the height of the violence in Benue in June, the President never once visited Yelewata, the epicenter of the massacre. And now, once again, in Plateau, he chooses to celebrate with his party elites instead of offering comfort to the grieving or providing any real leadership to the people in distress,” Atiku added.
This visit, Atiku claimed, signals a preference for comfort over compassion. He went on to accuse Tinubu of further alienating the very citizens who continue to suffer under the weight of unrelenting insecurity. “While the people mourn, this is a President who would rather feast than feel. The message could not be clearer: the leader chooses celebration over empathy,” Atiku lamented.
The former Vice President warned that Nigerians were taking note of the President’s actions. “The people are watching, and they will remember,” Atiku emphasized, underscoring the growing discontent over the President’s handling of national security issues.
While Tinubu’s visit was primarily to attend the funeral of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, he also delivered a speech during the service, calling for unity, peace, and tolerance. He urged the residents of Plateau State to “shun religious and ethnic differences” and work towards coexisting peacefully. However, this call for unity seemed hollow to many, given the President’s lack of visible support for the people suffering from violence across the region.
