Concerns over the quality of national leadership have resurfaced following recent presidential visits to violence-affected areas in Nigeria, with the presidential hopeful, Mr. Peter Obi, criticising what he described as a lack of empathy and presence.
Speaking on recent developments, Obi pointed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Benue State in June 2025, where he stopped at just at the Government House without proceeding to communities affected by deadly attacks. He also referenced a similar occurrence in Plateau State, where the President’s visit to Jos ended at the airport rather than at the impacted areas.
According to Obi, such actions fall short of the expectations of leadership in times of crisis. He argued that true leadership requires more than official appearances, stressing the need for physical presence, empathy, and direct engagement with victims.
“For citizens who have just lost loved ones, homes, and their sense of safety, being addressed from an airport tarmac is profoundly inadequate,” he stated.
Obi further warned that this approach could deepen the sense of abandonment among Nigerians who have endured repeated cycles of violence without meaningful protection or justice. He called for urgent action and a clear commitment to addressing the insecurity affecting communities, particularly in Plateau State.
He maintained that leadership must be both visible and tangible in moments of crisis—standing with victims, listening to survivors, and acknowledging their grief.
The remarks add to ongoing national conversations about governance, accountability, and the need for a more responsive approach to Nigeria’s security challenges.
