Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State, calling it a “political spectacle” that failed to address Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
Tinubu visited the Yelewata community on June 18, 2025, where he met victims of recent killings and held a town hall with stakeholders. However, Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, accused the president of staging theatrics instead of offering real solutions.
“Children were lined up in the rain to wave at the president. That’s not leadership, it’s performance,” Ibe told Vanguard.
Atiku condemned the government’s failure to arrest suspects involved in the killings of over 200 people, and criticised the use of tear gas on peaceful protesters seeking justice.
The former Vice President accused the administration of ignoring key regions and prioritising 2027 election strategies over national security and inclusive governance.
“This government has introduced nothing new to curb insecurity. The focus is politics, not progress.”
Despite Tinubu’s condolence visit, critics like Atiku argue that the trip offered no concrete plan to address the root causes of violence in Benue State and beyond.
