‘No leader abandons people in crisis’: Atiku slams Tinubu over France stay

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu over his continued stay in France, following the recent killings in Nigeria.

Tinubu departed Nigeria for Paris in France on a two-week working visit on April 2, 2025.

Gunmen, on April 2, attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in Manguna District of Plateau State.

Gunmen also attacked Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District, Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa, on Sunday.

In both incidents, the assailants killed over 100 people and destroyed many houses and other properties.

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen also killed 7 persons and razed many houses in Benue State.

However, Atiku, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday, April 16, alleged that Tinubu embarked on a medical trip to France, saying the presidency has been treating Nigerians like “fools”.

Atiku said: “The presidency scrambled to clarify that it wasn’t a medical trip – how noble. But even if it’s not medical tourism, what justification is there for gallivanting across Europe while Nigeria bleeds?

“What kind of leader borrows billions only to blow scarce funds on vanity trips abroad? It’s not just irresponsible – it’s contemptuous.

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“Let the facts speak for themselves. By the time Tinubu struts back from this latest escapade, he will have racked up a staggering 59 days in France since assuming office.

“While Tinubu dines under chandeliers in the land of good governance, the country he governs is spiraling into chaos. Plateau has turned into a killing field – over 100 lives lost in relentless attacks. Benue is bleeding. Boko Haram is seizing territory. And every single day, Nigerians sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and despair.

“This isn’t just negligence. It’s dereliction of duty on a catastrophic scale.”

Atiku further stated that if Tinubu had a shred of empathy, he would cut his trip short and return to Nigeria immediately.

He added: “A leader with an ounce of patriotism wouldn’t need to be begged to show up in times of crisis. The constitution says the security and welfare of the people is the primary purpose of government. But under Tinubu, that sacred duty has been trashed.

“Let’s be honest: there is absolutely nothing Tinubu is doing in France that he couldn’t do in Lagos, or even in Iragbiji. This so-called ‘working visit’ is nothing more than a vacation cloaked in official jargon.

“Nigeria is in a full-blown state of emergency. Not a contrived political emergency like what Tinubu declared in Rivers for partisan gain – this is a national collapse. So when, exactly, will Tinubu declare a state of emergency on his own disastrous presidency?“

The Star