The cleric, who spoke during Friday prayers days after Tinubu’s visit, accused the President of prioritising personal comfort over empathy for grieving families, alleging that Tinubu openly complained about lack of electricity during the visit and insisted he would not spend more than 10 minutes before returning to Lagos...READ FULL; FROM THE SOURCE.
A Northern Islamic cleric has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over dismissive and humiliating approach during the President’s recent condolence visit to Plateau State following the killing of residents in Jos.
The cleric, who spoke during Friday prayers days after Tinubu’s visit, accused the President of prioritising personal comfort over empathy for grieving families, alleging that Tinubu openly complained about lack of electricity during the visit and insisted he would not spend more than 10 minutes before returning to Lagos.
According to the cleric, stakeholders in Plateau State were embarrassed by the situation and reportedly pleaded with the President to show understanding despite the circumstances surrounding his visit.
The cleric alleged that Tinubu cited the electricity situation at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, which he said influenced the President’s decision to shorten his stay.
“There is no electricity. I’m not going to spend more than 10 minutes. I am flying back to Lagos,” the cleric quoted Tinubu as saying.
“He said he was going to Lagos for Easter. No electricity, no electricity. Listen to what he keeps saying; that is all he talks about. Now he says there is no electricity, meaning that he knows that lack of electricity is a disaster for him, but it is not considered a disaster for ordinary Nigerians.”
The cleric said the President’s decision to limit the condolence visit to 10 minutes showed disregard for the gravity of the killings and the suffering of affected families.
“’I will not stay more than ten minutes. I will return to Lagos.’ And that is exactly what happened,” the cleric said.
He further criticised political appeals allegedly made to Northern leaders to support Tinubu politically despite worsening insecurity in the region.
“But listen to something else so you can understand these people. We are telling you the truth: if they give you the masses anything, accept them and take advantage, but pin them down with electoral defeat,” the cleric said.
He referenced former Plateau State governor and current senator Simon Lalong, saying Lalong had previously promised political support for Tinubu.
The cleric also mentioned former Plateau State governor Jonah Jang, urging political leaders in the state to consider the plight of citizens facing violence.
“Now there is another well-known name in Plateau State, a good man called Jonah Jang. I want you too to come and make me a promise. Should we allow our people to be killed? You come and say that afterward you went to them and told them you would only spend 10 minutes. You say you do not have time,” he said.
He questioned the basis on which Northern Nigerians should be expected to support the President politically amid persistent insecurity.
“Then you say you want us to promise that we will campaign and vote for you, on what basis? This whole matter has become a drama, what they call the airport incident. Some Northern leaders gathered and said they are supporting him. But supporting him for what reason? For what?” the cleric asked.
According to the cleric, politics should involve mutual benefit rather than unilateral demands.
“Isn’t politics supposed to be give-and-take? Scratch my back and I scratch yours. You give me something, I give you something,” he said.
He also condemned what he described as a political betrayal of Northern interests, highlighting the persistent insecurity plaguing the region.
“Look at the situation we are facing in Northern Nigeria: killings, violence, insecurity, yet you expect us to vote. They want to move forward. So what agreement will we make in order to give them our support? No, not just free of charge. They have taken advantage of us and sold us out in their own interest,” he said.
The cleric also referenced former Kano State governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, alleging tensions following a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa.
“Go and ask His Excellency Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor. Ask him what happened recently at the Presidential Villa and what people did there. Recently, the President met with Umar Abdullahi Ganduje and the former governor of Jigawa. After discussions were concluded, Ganduje came out angrily, visibly upset,” the cleric said.
He emphasised that political power ultimately belongs to God and warned against attempts to manipulate public support.
“But we are servants of God. No one has the power to completely control events except God. And we tell them this. I am giving advice,” he said.
President Tinubu’s brief visit to Plateau State has stirred controversy, not only because of its short duration but also because he chose to meet victims of recent attacks at Jos airport rather than in their communities.
He travelled to the state days after gunmen attacked a community in Jos North, killing at least 28 people. Tinubu’s stop in Plateau lasted about 10 minutes.
He met victims and families inside a hall at Yakubu Gowon Airport, rather than travelling to the affected villages. The Presidency explained that the airport had no electricity to operate at night, forcing the President to keep his stay short.
Many Nigerians criticised the brevity and location of the meeting, describing it as detached from the suffering of victims.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called the handling of the visit “insensitive and detached from the plight of victims”.
WATCH: ‘You Have No Light Here, I Fly Out In 10 Minutes’: Northern Islamic Cleric Condemns Tinubu Over Brief Condolence Visit To Plateau pic.twitter.com/zwu5qlFTzo
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 5, 2026
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