The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Jos following the recent deadly attacks in Plateau State, describing it as “insensitive” and a “superficial show”.
The attack occurred on Sunday night, when gunmen opened fire at a busy junction in Jos, killing at least 28 people.
In response, President Tinubu visited Jos on Thursday to commiserate with victims of the attack, where he was received by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and security officials.
During the visit, the President met with victims’ families at a hall near the airport, offering condolences, including personally consoling a grieving mother seen in a viral video holding her deceased son.
The decision to hold all engagements at the airport, rather than visiting affected communities or hospitals, drew widespread criticism from residents and political stakeholders.
The PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, condemned the president’s handling of both the incident and his subsequent visit.
The PDP stated that the presidency remained silent for over 48 hours and claimed that the president only visited after widespread public criticism, describing the trip as lacking empathy and substance.
“Four days later, President Tinubu grudgingly visited Plateau State in the evening, rushed through a meeting with stakeholders and victims at the lounge of the Jos airport,” the party said.
The PDP described the visit as a “performative and superficial show,” adding, “It would have been better for President Tinubu to have stayed back in Abuja than to mount this disgraceful display that added salt to the injury of the victims of this massacre.”
The party also criticised the President’s conduct during the visit, stating, “His impatience with the audience was glaring when he declared that the ‘airport does not have light’ and that he had only 10 minutes before flying back to Abuja.”
It further linked the President’s decision not to leave the airport to security concerns, claiming it reflected the severity of insecurity in the country.
“The President’s inability to leave the airport is clearly linked to the untamed insecurity that has overwhelmed the nation’s security agencies,” the statement added.
Addressing criticism, the presidency later explained that the arrangement was due to scheduling and logistical constraints, including a delayed bilateral meeting with Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and flight restrictions requiring departure before dusk.
The PDP also dismissed the Federal Government’s proposed deployment of surveillance infrastructure as inadequate.
“The President’s announcement of 5,000 Closed-Circuit Television cameras is yet another evidence of the simplistic lens through which this administration views core security challenges,” it said.
The party called for a comprehensive strategy to address insecurity, urging the Federal Government to adopt “a whole-of-society approach, with deliberate emphasis on community engagement”.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Tinubu vowed to end the cycle of violence and assured residents that such incidents would not recur.
He also announced plans to install 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to strengthen intelligence gathering.
As part of efforts to address the crisis, the President invited community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also faulted the visit, describing it as a “choreographed spectacle” that prioritised optics over genuine engagement.
In the aftermath of the attack, sporadic violence was reported in parts of the city, particularly around the university, leading to additional casualties and heightened tensions.
Although security presence has since been reinforced, concerns remain over the fragile situation. Authorities have urged calm as efforts continue to restore order.
Meanwhile, students of the University of Jos have been evacuated following the closure of the institution amid rising security concerns in the state capital.