Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to comments made by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga explaining why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met victims of the recent attacks in Jos at the airport rather than visiting them elsewhere.
According to reports, Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the president, defended Tinubu’s decision to address the affected families at the airport during his visit to Plateau State following the deadly attacks. His explanation generated public discussion on social media and among political observers.
Reacting through his official X account, Ibe acknowledged that Onanuga’s explanation was detailed and well presented. However, he argued that the justification did not sufficiently address the emotional expectations of the grieving families who lost loved ones during the attacks.
Ibe stated that inviting victims of such a tragedy to an airport to receive condolences from the nation’s Commander-in-Chief was unusual and raised concerns about the sensitivity of the approach. According to him, moments of national grief require deeper empathy and a more personal engagement with those directly affected.
He emphasized that true compassion from leadership should go beyond carefully crafted statements or public relations messaging. In his view, gestures of sympathy toward victims of violence should demonstrate sincerity, compassion, and a clear understanding of the pain experienced by the affected families.
The comments add to the ongoing public debate surrounding the federal government’s response to the Plateau attacks and the manner in which national leaders engage with victims of tragedies.
Observers note that reactions from political figures and commentators continue to reflect broader concerns about leadership style, crisis response, and the expectations Nigerians have of their leaders during moments of national mourning.
The exchange between Ibe and Onanuga highlights the growing political discourse following the president’s visit to Plateau State and the differing perspectives on how leaders should console victims after violent incidents. Read_More…