Residents of Plateau State have blasted President Bola Tinubu after his Thursday visit to the state following the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA, where over 30 people were killed and many others injured.
Instead of going to the scene or visiting victims in the hospital, Tinubu landed at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, about 100 kilometres away, gave a speech, and left.
Many locals said the visit felt cold and detached. They expected the President to show real empathy by going to the affected community or checking on the injured personally.
On social media, residents vented their frustration, questioning why Tinubu addressed people far from the real victims.
Kacholom Luka was first to speak on Facebook:
“Welcome to Heipang Airport of Plateau State, Mr. President. Are the injured victims of the attack, currently receiving treatment in the hospital, being transported there for your viewing? Should you not be visiting the victims in the hospital? It is well with all of us in this country.”
Other reactions poured in:
Comrade Bright Gyang wrote:
“I don’t know our crimes and offenses, but surely I believe God is punishing us with these kinds of leaders we have at the moment. A leader sympathizing and addressing victims in an armored truck, a president sitting and welcoming high dignitaries and stakeholders at the airport.”
Joel Poret added:
“This is the most insensitive, callous, unfeeling, uncaring, thoughtless, and tactless act ever exhibited by a leader whose people have suffered untold hardship. Why did he even come to Plateau in the first place? He could have given his speech in Abuja instead of coming. The victims were not invited to the airport; politicians, traditional and religious leaders, and party supporters were. What sort of leaders do we have in this country?”
Rhoda Daniel wrote:
“This is not what we expected from President Tinubu. No sign of humanity. Don’t worry, we will vote for you at the airport in Heipang in 2027. Tinubu, please don’t dare come for a campaign in Jos since you can’t enter now.”
Kefas Habila said:
“His coming is more of a waste of our resources. Since our governor had traveled and informed him of what befell us, his visit doesn’t make much sense. The governor had told him that the steps taken were a waste of resources.
Was the president not the one who, before the election, came and danced mokossa with us on the Plateau? Today, the same people he danced with in their woe are not worthy of empathy. He chose to stay a stone’s throw away and apply healing balm on the land.
All I know is that the presence of our leader at tough times gives us hope, energy, and the feeling we are not alone. Their words are therapeutic.”
Joey Shekwonuzhibo added:
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a stakeholders’ meeting at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, over 40 minutes from Angwan Rukuba where the March 29 attack occurred.”
Aaron Azi commented:
“I only pity those who thought President Tinubu would act differently from the bunch of insensitive leaders we have. Last year, when he visited Benue State after the Yelewata killings, he didn’t go to the affected communities. Instead, the visit turned into a political rally. There have been violence and killings in Kwara, Kaduna, Borno, Niger, Zamfara, and other states, yet Tinubu has not visited them. So why did people expect anything different?”
Ibrahim Yakubu said:
“Typical of Nigerian politicians who do not care about the masses. All they care about is the next election and entrenching their positions.”
Emma Jando added:
“President Bola Tinubu truly disappointed me. I am one of his strongest supporters and had expected him to act differently, but he showed the traits of a typical Nigerian politician who doesn’t care about ordinary people.”
