The camp of Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over what it described as a pattern of “absentee leadership,” citing his recent movements in Jos and Lagos.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, media aide to Atiku, the president’s conduct was labelled “troubling and unacceptable,” particularly in the wake of recent security incidents. The criticism focused on Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State following a deadly attack, which Shaibu described as “shockingly brief.”
According to the statement, the president reportedly spent only about 10 minutes at the Jos Airport before departing, a move the Atiku camp said diminished the seriousness of the situation and conveyed a lack of empathy.
Shaibu also dismissed the explanation that Tinubu had to return to Lagos for official duties, arguing that subsequent developments undermined that justification. He claimed the president’s two-day working visit to Lagos was marked by minimal public engagement.
The statement alleged that Tinubu remained largely out of sight during the visit, missing key events such as the commissioning of the Opebi–Mende–Ojota Link Bridge and the inauguration of a Multi-Agency Complex. These duties were reportedly delegated to the Senate President.
The Atiku camp further linked the president’s perceived absence to broader concerns about governance, especially amid rising insecurity and international attention on Nigeria’s security situation. It referenced recent precautionary measures reportedly taken by the United States Government regarding its personnel in the country.
Describing the situation as alarming, Shaibu accused the administration of being disengaged at a critical time. He urged the president to take governance more seriously and reconnect with the responsibilities of his office.
The statement concluded with a call for Tinubu to demonstrate stronger leadership in addressing the nation’s security and governance challenges, warning that anything less would fail to meet public expectations.
