Tinubu’s Visit to Benue Was Political Theatre, Not Empathy — Atiku
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Atiku Abubakar |
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State as a “political performance” rather than a genuine expression of concern for victims of the state’s escalating violence and insecurity.
In a statement conveyed through his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, during an exclusive interview with Vanguard on Thursday, Atiku criticised the visit as a carefully choreographed show lacking sincerity and substance.
“It’s admirable for a leader to show empathy—to offer comfort and stand with grieving citizens. But what we witnessed in Benue was nothing more than a political drama,” Ibe said.
He condemned the staging of children lining the roads in the rain to welcome the President, calling it both “exploitative” and “unnecessary,” especially given the somber context of the visit.
Lack of Accountability in Face of Massacres
Ibe questioned the Federal Government’s response to the massacre of over 200 people in recent attacks across Benue State, noting that no suspects have been arrested, and no credible steps have been taken to prevent further violence.
“The same security agencies that failed to protect lives were quick to disperse peaceful protesters demanding justice with tear gas. That’s not governance; that’s intimidation,” he added.
Misguided Security Strategy
The former Vice President’s camp accused the Tinubu administration of fundamentally misdiagnosing Nigeria’s security crisis, resulting in flawed policies and ineffective leadership.
“When you misdiagnose a problem, you prescribe the wrong cure. Garbage in, garbage out,” Ibe said.
“The individuals overseeing our national security are largely political appointees—not subject-matter experts. Their focus is political preservation, not public safety.”
Calls for Inclusive Governance
Atiku also faulted the administration for what he called “exclusionary governance”—a pattern of alienating regions, ethnicities, and faith communities from decision-making processes, which he argued has worsened national disunity.
“Inclusiveness is not just a slogan; it’s a stabilizing force in a diverse country like Nigeria. When people feel excluded, unrest follows,” Ibe said.
Warning Against Premature 2027 Campaigns
The statement further criticised the administration’s early preoccupation with the 2027 general elections, arguing that it has distracted government officials from addressing Nigeria’s deepening security and economic crises.
“The obsession with 2027 is pulling focus from urgent issues—security, inflation, food shortages. What has this government introduced that’s new or effective in solving any of them?” he asked.
Atiku’s remarks come amid widespread public discontent with the federal government’s handling of insecurity, particularly in the Middle Belt, North-West, and South-East regions.
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