Residents of Plateau State have strongly criticised Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the way he handled his visit following the recent deadly attack in the state.
The President travelled to Plateau on Thursday to sympathise with victims of the Palm Sunday attack that happened in Gari Yawaye, a community in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area.
The tragic incident led to the death of more than 30 people, while several others were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
Despite the purpose of the visit, many residents were disappointed with how the President carried out his engagement.
Instead of visiting the affected community or going to hospitals to meet the injured victims, Tinubu stopped at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, which is located far from where the attack occurred. It was there he addressed government officials, stakeholders, and other invited guests before leaving the state.
This action did not sit well with many people in Plateau, as they felt it lacked compassion, empathy, and a personal connection to those directly affected by the tragedy.
For many residents, the expectation was that the President woul5êd go to the scene of the attack or at least visit survivors in hospitals to personally console them.
Several concerned citizens took to social media to express their anger and disappointment. Some questioned why the President chose to remain at the airport instead of meeting those who were suffering. Others described the visit as insensitive and out of touch with the reality on ground.
One resident pointed out that it made little sense for the President to speak from the airport when the victims were elsewhere, suggesting that such an address could have been delivered from Abuja without making the trip.
Another resident criticised the nature of the gathering at the airport, claiming that it was mainly attended by politicians, traditional rulers, and party supporters, while the actual victims and affected families were not present.
According to this view, the visit appeared more like a formal or political event rather than a sincere effort to console grieving families.
Some residents also compared the situation to past incidents, claiming that similar patterns had been observed during previous visits to crisis-hit areas.
They argued that leaders should show more compassion by being physically present with victims during difficult times.
Others expressed deep frustration with the country’s leadership, saying moments like this reveal a disconnect between leaders and ordinary citizens. A few even warned that such actions could influence future political decisions, including voting choices.
However, beyond the criticism, many residents emphasised an important point: that the presence of a leader at the scene of tragedy can provide hope, comfort, and reassurance to affected communities.
They believe that such gestures go a long way in healing emotional wounds and restoring confidence in leadership.
Overall, the reaction from Plateau residents shows widespread dissatisfaction with how the visit was handled.
Many feel that a more compassionate and direct approach would have made a meaningful difference to victims and their families during this difficult time.
