Atiku Slams Tinubu’s Priorities Amid Worsening Security Crisis

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an act of insensitivity toward victims of insecurity across Nigeria. Atiku’s remarks followed the President’s visit to Plateau State on Saturday to attend the burial of Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released via his official X handle, Atiku accused the President of prioritising politics over compassion, alleging that Tinubu’s presence at what he termed a “political funeral” symbolised a disregard for the grief and suffering of citizens in one of the country’s most violence-stricken regions.

“With large swathes of the country still under siege from unrelenting insecurity and thousands of innocent lives lost, it is deeply unfortunate that President Tinubu has not, for once, found it worthy to visit any of the affected states to commiserate with the grieving citizens,” Atiku said. He added that the President’s appearance in Plateau “not to share in the people’s pain but to attend a social event under the auspices of his party’s national chairman” sends the wrong message at a time of national mourning.

‘A Heartless Display of Leadership’ — Atiku’s Fierce Rebuke

Atiku further described Tinubu’s conduct as “a sad reflection of priorities and a glaring mockery of leadership,” noting that the President’s decision to attend the event while victims of violence in Plateau continue to bury their loved ones underscores a lack of empathy and compassion.

“Between the APC National Chairman and his President, what we witnessed today is a heartless exhibition of disregard for empathy, compassion, and the dignity of human life,” Atiku stated. He lamented that the administration has repeatedly failed to visit communities devastated by terrorist attacks, particularly in the North Central region, which continues to endure recurrent waves of violence.

The former Vice President also referenced previous incidents, including President Tinubu’s visit to Benue State in June, where he said the President avoided Yelewata, the epicentre of a massacre, opting instead to remain in the state capital, Makurdi. “Even when Tinubu made a symbolic visit to Benue, he never bothered to set foot in Yelewata,” Atiku noted, arguing that such choices reflect a leadership detached from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

Public Reaction and Political Implications

Atiku’s statement has ignited renewed debate over the federal government’s handling of insecurity and its perceived detachment from citizens’ realities. Many Nigerians on social media echoed Atiku’s sentiments, calling for more visible empathy from the presidency, particularly towards communities devastated by recurring attacks.

Observers note that the timing of Tinubu’s visit to Plateau — one of the most frequently targeted regions in recent years — could deepen public dissatisfaction if not accompanied by concrete government action to address insecurity. Analysts suggest that Atiku’s criticism, though politically charged, resonates with growing frustration over the government’s communication and crisis response strategies.

While the Presidency has yet to issue a formal response, political commentators believe the exchange underscores a deepening rift between the ruling APC and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as both sides position themselves ahead of future electoral contests

Atiku’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Nigerians who feel disconnected from their leaders’ priorities amid unrelenting insecurity. Whether or not the President’s visit to Plateau was purely political, the criticism highlights the delicate balance between governance, empathy, and political loyalty in a nation still grappling with violence and grief.