Former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar ignited a Twitter firestorm on Tuesday, January 30, with a stinging criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s security situation. In a series of tweets, Atiku launched a sharp attack, drawing stark contrasts between his own perceived leadership qualities and what he views as Tinubu’s shortcomings.
The former Vice President’s ire was particularly directed at Tinubu’s reported “private visit” while the nation grapples with multiple security concerns. Highlighting the recent tragic killings of a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja alongside two monarchs in Ekiti, Atiku questioned the President’s priorities in the face of such dire circumstances.
“To imagine that the Commander-in-Chief is on a so-called private visit while kidnappers kill a nursing mother and grandmother in Abuja for failing to pay N90m ransom and two monarchs in Ekiti, among other regular tragedies besetting Nigerians,” Atiku tweeted, his words echoing the anxieties of many citizens.
He further challenged Tinubu’s ability to lead, drawing on the popular “Emilokan” (It’s my turn) campaign slogan: “If the shoes are too big for Emilokan, he should step aside. Nigeria does not need another Tourist-in-Chief. The country needs 24/7 leadership to confront the pervasive insecurity and collapsing economy.”
Atiku’s Twitter barrage reignited the long-standing debate about leadership priorities and capabilities. His call for “24/7 leadership” resonated with those who view the current security and economic situation as demanding constant presidential attention. Conversely, supporters of Tinubu defended his right to personal time and argued that delegating tasks is a critical leadership skill.
While the Twitter battle lines were drawn, one thing is certain: Atiku Abubakar’s fiery tweets injected fresh urgency into the national conversation about leadership and Nigeria’s current challenges. Whether his words lead to concrete action or remain a political salvo, they underscore the deep concerns regarding security and the economy that currently grip the nation.
