By Erewunmi Peace

The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, Plateau State, following deadly attacks in the region.

The President’s decision to remain at the airport and meet victims there has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning the nature of the visit.

According to the Presidency, the situation was largely due to time constraints and logistical challenges.

Officials explained that Tinubu had earlier attended a high-level meeting in Abuja with the President of Chad, which delayed his departure to Jos. As a result, he arrived later than scheduled.

In addition, authorities noted that the Jos airport lacks adequate facilities for night operations, making it necessary for the President to conclude his visit before sunset.

The distance between the airport and the affected communities—estimated to be about 40 minutes—also posed a challenge, as security and time limitations made it difficult to complete the trip safely within the available timeframe.

To ensure engagement with those affected, victims and community leaders were instead brought to a venue near the airport, where the President addressed them and expressed condolences.

Despite the explanation, the visit has drawn criticism from some political figures and members of the public, who argued that the President should have visited the affected communities directly to demonstrate stronger solidarity.

However, the Presidency maintained that the visit was meaningful, emphasizing that Tinubu met with victims, government officials, and security stakeholders to discuss ongoing efforts to address the crisis in Plateau State.

The development continues to generate debate as Nigerians weigh the balance between security logistics and symbolic leadership in times of crisis.