‘Tinubu’s Plateau, Lagos Conduct Shows Troubling Governance Pattern’, Says Ex-VP Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approach to governance, particularly what he described as the President’s 10-minute stop in Jos, Plateau State after the recent Plateau killings and his subsequent disappearance from key official engagements in Lagos State.

Atiku, a leading chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raised the concerns in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

According to Atiku, the President’s brief stop in Jos and subsequent low visibility in Lagos pointed to a deeper problem in the style and seriousness of governance under the current administration.

“From the fleeting appearance in Jos to the near-invisibility in Lagos, a troubling pattern has emerged: a presidency that appears detached, disengaged, and disturbingly casual about the weighty obligations of governance,” he stated.

In the statement, the former Vice President said the President’s recent conduct in office had raised fresh questions about his commitment to leadership and the responsibilities of his office.

He described “the increasingly disturbing pattern of absentee leadership exhibited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose recent conduct in office raises serious questions about his commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him by the Nigerian people” as deeply concerning.

Atiku said it was “both troubling and unacceptable” that despite embarking on what was officially described as a two-day working visit to Lagos State, Tinubu had failed to make meaningful public appearances at a number of important state functions he was expected to attend.

He said the development came shortly after the President’s “shockingly brief and perfunctory visit to Plateau State”, where he reportedly spent only a few minutes following a deadly attack.

“This follows closely on the heels of his shockingly brief and perfunctory visit to Plateau State, where, in the aftermath of a devastating terrorist attack, he spent barely ten minutes at the Jos Airport before departing—an act widely perceived as dismissive of the gravity of the tragedy,” Atiku said.

He argued that the explanation initially offered by the President’s media team—that Tinubu had proceeded to Lagos for official engagements—had now lost credibility.

“The justification offered by his media handlers—that he was proceeding to Lagos for official engagements—has now been rendered hollow,” he stated.

Atiku further alleged that since arriving in Lagos, the President had remained largely out of public view and had not visibly participated in the key events lined up to justify the visit.

“Since his arrival in Lagos, the President has remained largely confined to his private residence, with little to no visible engagement in the very activities meant to validate the so-called working visit,” he said.

He also took issue with the President’s attendance at the commissioning of the Gateway Airport in Iperu, Ogun State, suggesting that the event appeared more political than state function in tone.

“Beyond the commissioning of the Iperu Airport in Ogun State—an event that bore more resemblance to a partisan political gathering than a solemn state function—the President has been conspicuously absent from other critical engagements,” he said.

Atiku specifically cited the commissioning of the Opebi–Mende–Ojota Link Bridge and the inauguration of the Multi-Agency Complex in Lagos, noting that Tinubu delegated both events instead of attending in person.

“Notably, he failed to personally attend the commissioning of the much-advertised Opebi–Mende–Ojota Link Bridge and the inauguration of the Multi-Agency Complex, instead delegating these significant national duties to the Senate President, a close political ally,” he added.

The former Vice President said the President’s conduct was particularly troubling at a time when the country is facing worsening insecurity and rising terrorist attacks.

“At a time when Nigeria is grappling with worsening insecurity, rising terrorist attacks, and growing international concern—including the recent precautionary actions taken by the United States Government regarding its personnel in Nigeria—such indifference at the highest level of leadership is both alarming and indefensible,” he said.

He stressed that the office of the President should not be reduced to ceremonial appearances, but must reflect presence, responsiveness and a strong sense of duty.

“Leadership is not a ceremonial privilege; it is a solemn duty. The office of the President demands presence, responsiveness, and an unwavering sense of responsibility—qualities that are evidently in short supply in the current administration,” Atiku said.

He therefore urged Tinubu to urgently reassess his leadership style and rise to the demands of the moment.

“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently recalibrate his approach to governance, re-engage fully with the demands of his office, and demonstrate the seriousness of purpose required to confront the daunting challenges facing our nation,” he said.

He warned that anything short of that would amount to a failure of leadership at a critical moment for the country.

“Anything less would amount to a grave disservice to the Nigerian people.”