Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, accusing the administration of incompetence, indifference, and absentee leadership in the face of persistent killings across the country.
In a strongly worded statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Atiku expressed outrage over the recent attacks in Benue State, particularly in the Logo and Gbagir communities of Ukum Local Government Area, where numerous lives were lost.
“The Tinubu administration has proven, time and again, to be utterly incapable, wholly incompetent, and completely devoid of any coherent ideas for tackling Nigeria’s deepening security crisis,” Atiku stated.
“This is not just my position — it is a growing consensus among political opposition leaders, respected security experts, and even members within the ruling party who, though too timid to speak publicly, confess this uncomfortable truth behind closed doors.” he continued.
Condemning what he described as the President’s lack of urgency and empathy, Atiku noted, “The blood of innocent Nigerians continues to be spilled with appalling regularity—most recently in the Logo and Gbagir communities of Ukum LGA in Benue State. Yet, the Tinubu presidency remains disturbingly indifferent, displaying neither urgency nor the basic decency of public empathy.”
He contrasted Tinubu’s approach to crisis management with other global leaders who have demonstrated sensitivity and leadership during national tragedies.
“Leadership demands presence,” Atiku wrote. “In 2016, President Barack Obama cut short an important diplomatic visit to return home after five police officers were killed in a lone gunman attack. In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa abandoned a state visit to Egypt to return to South Africa amid an electricity crisis. Even U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, heavily criticized for fleeing to Mexico during a deadly winter storm in Texas, eventually returned and acknowledged his mistake.”
Citing a Nigerian precedent, he added: “In our own history, President Goodluck Jonathan returned from Equatorial Guinea in 2014 following a deadly bomb blast in Abuja. That is the expected minimum in moments of national trauma.”
Atiku was particularly critical of President Tinubu’s overseas travels, implying that the President is out of touch with the gravity of the country’s security challenges.
“Yet President Bola Tinubu, incapable of solving Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, chooses instead to gallivant across Europe — governing Nigeria in absentia as if from a holiday perch. If he cannot act, the least he can do is show up. If he cannot lead with empathy, he should at least attempt the performance of it. Nigeria is bleeding. Nigerians are dying. The president is nowhere to be found.”
The former Vice President offered his condolences to those affected by the Benue attacks and pledged continued support.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the people and Government of Benue State. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity.”
In a final jab at the Tinubu administration, Atiku stated: “An inept administration may not suddenly discover competence. But we will not stop calling it out. If Tinubu cannot deliver safety and dignity to Nigerians, the very least he can do is pretend to care — regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.”
The Presidency has yet to respond to the comments as of the time of filing this report.
