…Peter Obi emphasised the need for urgent and practical measures to tackle insecurity.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as a lack of compassion and visible leadership in response to recent attacks in Plateau State.
Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, stressing that leadership during times of tragedy must go beyond formal appearances and official statements.
“True leadership requires presence, empathy, compassion, and a willingness to meet people where their pain truly lies,” he stated.
The former Anambra State governor referenced a previous visit by the President to Benue State in June 2025, where he claimed Tinubu stopped at the Government House without visiting affected communities. He added that a similar scenario occurred in Jos, where engagement with victims reportedly took place at the airport.
“For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” Peter Obi said.
Peter Obi emphasised the need for urgent and practical measures to tackle insecurity, noting that communities in Plateau and other affected areas require decisive action and reassurance from the government.
The statement has since sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many users expressing concern over what they described as a disconnect between leadership and the realities faced by citizens.
Some commenters argued that insecurity has become politicised, while others stressed that moments of grief demand empathy and direct engagement from leaders. Others also criticised what they described as distant responses to tragedies, calling for leadership that is physically present in affected communities.
Peter Obi maintained that beyond words, meaningful action is needed to restore confidence and ensure the safety of lives and property across the country.
