Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the nation’s escalating security crisis, accusing the administration of incompetence and indifference.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 19, 2025, on his X handle, Atiku asserted that the Tinubu government has repeatedly demonstrated “utter incapacity, complete incompetence, and a total lack of coherent ideas” in addressing the deepening insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
He claimed this sentiment is shared by opposition leaders, security experts, and even members of the ruling party.
Atiku highlighted the recent killings in Logo and Gbagir communities of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State, lamenting the “appalling regularity” with which innocent Nigerian blood is being spilt.
He criticised the president’s perceived lack of urgency and empathy, contrasting it with the actions of other world leaders who have cut short international trips to address domestic crises.
“Leadership demands presence,” Atiku stated, citing examples of former US President Barack Obama, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and even US Senator Ted Cruz, who returned home amidst national emergencies.
He also referenced former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s return from Equatorial Guinea following a 2014 bomb blast in Abuja.
Atiku accused President Tinubu of “gallivanting across Europe”, effectively “governing Nigeria in absentia as if from a holiday perch.” He argued that even if the president cannot solve the insecurity problem, he should at least “show up” and “attempt the performance” of empathy.
“Nigeria is bleeding. Nigerians are dying. The president is nowhere to be found,” Atiku declared.
He extended his condolences to the people and government of Benue State, expressing solidarity in their grief.
Atiku vowed to continue holding the administration accountable, stating, “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 statement has added fuel to the growing debate surrounding the Tinubu administration’s response to the nation’s security challenges.
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