Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar berated President Bola Tinubu for attending the burial of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, accusing him of choosing to celebrate with his party loyalists while victims of incessant killings in the region continue to mourn their loved ones.
In a statement released on Saturday, Atiku criticized Tinubu for visiting Plateau State not to sympathize with victims of violence, but to attend a party function organized by the APC National Chairman.
Tinubu, who spoke at the funeral of the mother of the national chairman of the APC on Saturday, declared that he had a mission to unite Nigerians, assuring Christian communities in northern Nigeria that his administration would ensure fairness among all religions in the country.
Tinubu, who gave the assurance during his meeting with some Christian leaders at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations in Jos, Plateau State, said, “I have a mission to unite this country and ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress,” the president said.
A month-long spike in killings and village attacks across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and parts of the North has prompted an international outcry.
Recall that numerous communities in Plateau, Kwara, Benue, and sections of Niger State have recently been subjected to a series of violent attacks, resulting in the deaths of many individuals and the displacement of others.
Although Tinubu previously visited Benue State, where he demanded that those responsible be brought to justice, resulting in police arrests and the restoration of peace in the area, the presidency has issued condolences and condemned the killings in other states across the North Central and other regions, while security agencies continue to intensify efforts to restore peace and stability.
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During his visit to Plateau State, Tinubu visited with Christian communities in the state, amid ongoing global debate sparked by American comedian and television host Bill Maher’s claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In response, Atiku chastised Tinubu for failing to visit states devastated by insecurity and loss of life to commiserate with victims while making time to visit one of the states for a political event.
Atiku stated, “It is a sad reflection of priorities and a glaring mockery of leadership that while families in Plateau continue to bury their loved ones, President Tinubu chose to grace a political funeral rather than stand with the people in their darkest hour.
“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.
“From Benue to Niger and most recently Kwara, the entire North-Central region has endured some of the most horrific waves of violence in recent history. Yet, not once has the APC-led government deemed it necessary to physically stand by the victims or console their families.”
Atiku described Tinubu as a leader who chose celebration over compassion, one who rejoiced while the people suffered.
Atiku continued, “Even when Tinubu made a symbolic visit to Benue State in June, he never bothered to set foot in Yelewata, the epicenter of the massacre. Instead, he ended his trip comfortably in Makurdi, turning his back on the people whose tears and blood still stain the soil.
“Now again, he is in Plateau State, not to console the bereaved or reassure the broken, but to celebrate and make merry with his party elite while the people mourn.
“The message could not be clearer: this is a president who would rather feast than feel—a leader who finds pleasure where the people find pain. The Nigerian people are watching, and they will remember.”
