Journalist and broadcaster Rufai Oseni has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent visit to Jos following the deadly Palm Sunday attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Plateau State.
The criticism comes after a viral video captured the president meeting with grieving families in a ceremony at the airport while indicating he might have to cut his visit short due to power supply concerns at the airport.
Speaking during a programme on Arise TV, Oseni questioned what he described as a lack of sensitivity in the president’s approach, claiming Tinubu did not go beyond the airport to visit the actual communities affected by the violence.
According to him, such a decision sends the wrong message to victims who are still grappling with loss and trauma.
“The president went to Jos but reportedly stopped at the airport. What level of insensitivity is that? Imagine telling victims you may have to leave because of light,” Oseni said.
He further argued that symbolic gestures—such as physically visiting affected areas—carry significant emotional weight for grieving families and communities trying to recover from tragedy.
Oseni also referenced a moment where the president consoled a woman who had lost her only son, stressing that no one, including political leaders, can fully comprehend the depth of such personal loss.
“Telling her you understand her pain is not accurate. Nobody truly understands that kind of pain,” he added.
The broadcaster maintained that leadership during moments of national grief requires not just words, but visible empathy and presence at the heart of affected communities.
President Tinubu’s visit followed heightened tensions in parts of Jos after the Palm Sunday attack, which triggered unrest across several areas of the metropolis.
See him speaking here.
