Peter Obi Slams Tinubu's Airport Engagement with Jos Victims as 'Leadership Without Compassion'
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent visit to Plateau State, where he addressed victims of a terrorist attack at the Jos airport rather than traveling into the affected communities. In a post on his X account dated April 3, 2026, Obi described the president's actions as demonstrating a profound lack of empathy and leadership, exacerbating feelings of abandonment among Nigerians enduring repeated violence.
Obi's Critique of Tinubu's Approach
Peter Obi emphasized that true leadership necessitates presence, empathy, and a direct connection with those suffering. He referenced a similar incident during Tinubu's visit to Benue State in June 2025, where the president stopped at the Government House but avoided the actual sites of tragedy. Obi argued that addressing victims from an airport tarmac is inadequate for citizens who have lost loved ones, homes, and security, stating that such an approach fails to provide the tangible support and justice needed.
"Leadership without compassion is not leadership. For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate. This approach exacerbates the sense of abandonment already felt by innocent Nigerians who have endured repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice."
—
Obi called for urgent action and a clear commitment to ending insecurity in Plateau State, stressing that leadership must be visible and tangible, standing with victims and acknowledging their grief to build a better Nigeria.
Background on the Jos Attack and Tinubu's Visit
On April 2, 2026, President Tinubu visited Jos following a terrorist attack that resulted in at least 40 fatalities in the Angwa Rukuba community. The visit quickly sparked controversy when Tinubu chose to engage with victims and stakeholders at the airport instead of proceeding into the city to assess the situation firsthand, as many had anticipated.
Presidency's Defense of Logistical Constraints
In response to the heavy criticism, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a statement on X on April 3, 2026, explaining the logistical challenges that prevented Tinubu from traveling into Jos. Onanuga cited a lack of power at the airport, which would have made it impossible for the president's plane to depart the runway at night, and noted that the 40-minute drive into the city would have further complicated timely departure.
This defense, however, has done little to quell the backlash, with critics arguing that such explanations highlight systemic issues in planning and prioritization during crises. The incident underscores ongoing debates about leadership responsiveness and the need for compassionate governance in Nigeria's security challenges.
