Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by Henry Owen
In a statement released via his verified Facebook page, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar raised concerns over what he describes as limited presidential engagement with communities affected by insecurity in Nigeria’s North Central region.
Abubakar highlighted ongoing security challenges in states including Plateau, Benue, Niger, and Kwara. He noted that large areas of these states have experienced violent incidents resulting in civilian casualties. According to the former vice president, these incidents have led to significant loss of life and disruption in affected communities.
He criticized President Bola Tinubu for not visiting these states to engage with citizens impacted by violence. Abubakar referred specifically to Plateau State, which recently experienced attacks resulting in civilian deaths. He stated that the President’s visit to Plateau coincided with a political event organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, rather than activities directly addressing the needs of affected communities.
The statement also referenced a previous visit by President Tinubu to Benue State in June, noting that he did not travel to areas most directly affected by violence. Abubakar suggested that the lack of visits to affected communities sends a negative signal about the government’s level of engagement and responsiveness.
Abubakar’s remarks emphasize the need for political leaders to balance official engagements with humanitarian considerations in regions facing insecurity. While he described the situation as a missed opportunity for leadership to provide comfort and reassurance to victims, the statement did not include proposed policy actions or specific government interventions to address the security challenges.
Observers note that public criticism from former government officials can influence discourse on security and governance. Abubakar’s comments contribute to ongoing discussions about the government’s approach to conflict-affected areas and the expectations of citizens for leadership presence during crises.
No response from the Office of the President was included in the statement, and it is not clear whether any follow-up measures or official visits to affected communities are planned.
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