Photo File: Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Jos as politically motivated and “uninformed.”

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s Acting Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, the APC said Atiku lacked the moral and political standing to speak on behalf of the people of Plateau State.

President Tinubu had visited Jos over the weekend to attend the funeral service of Mama Lydia, held at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) headquarters in the Plateau State capital. During the event, Tinubu called for peace, unity, and tolerance among Nigerians, urging citizens to shun ethnic and religious differences.

However, Atiku, in a Saturday statement, faulted the President’s visit, describing it as “a sad reflection of priorities and a mockery of leadership.” He argued that Tinubu should have visited the state to sympathize with victims of recurring attacks and displacement rather than attending a partisan event “under the auspices of his party’s national chairman.”

Responding, the Plateau APC dismissed the remarks as an attempt to “make political capital out of tragedy.”
The statement read in part:

“By all standards and definitions, Alhaji Atiku belongs to the class of the nation’s statesmen, but his recent comments reveal the qualities of an infamous opposition leader in Nigeria’s political landscape. From the content of his statement and disposition, it would not be out of place to say that Alhaji Atiku spoke in bad faith and from an uninformed position.”

The party defended Tinubu’s commitment to national security, noting that while the President holds ultimate responsibility as Commander-in-Chief, state governors also share constitutional obligations to protect lives and property.

“In crisis situations, the President usually gives marching orders to security agencies to restore peace and order, while also providing logistical support to ensure the success of such operations,” the APC added.

The party also referenced Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s public commendation of the President’s support for security operations in the state, saying it was evidence of local appreciation for Tinubu’s interventions.

“If Governor Mutfwang, the Chief Security Officer of the state, could in all honesty publicly give the President a pat on the back, it stands to reason that Alhaji Atiku lacks the locus standi to complain on behalf of the people of the state,” the statement continued.

The Plateau APC concluded by urging critics to focus on practical security measures rather than political commentary.

“What is of utmost importance to the people of Plateau State is the provision of more military assets and personnel to tackle insurgents head-on, rather than unnecessary criticism of ceremonial visits,” the party stated.