The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has responded to criticisms from former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Plateau State, asserting that the President remains fully committed to the welfare and security of Nigerians.

The party addressed the issue on Sunday through its Lagos State spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo.

President Tinubu attended the burial ceremony of Nana Lydia Yilwada, mother of APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, in Jos, Plateau, on Saturday. The former Vice-President had accused Tinubu of prioritising social appearances over addressing the country’s pressing security challenges, particularly in insurgency-affected regions.

“No amount of reckless politicking or bad-faith commentary from yesterday’s men can diminish the fact that Tinubu remains committed to the welfare and security of Nigerians,” Oladejo said.

He described the President’s visit as an act of compassion and solidarity, aimed at supporting a grieving family, and dismissed suggestions that it represented neglect of national responsibilities.

“President Tinubu’s visit to Plateau was a show of compassion and solidarity—a mark of respect to a distinguished Nigerian family in grief and a reaffirmation of our shared humanity. Only a man blinded by political envy would seek to twist such a solemn event for cheap propaganda,” Oladejo added.

The APC spokesperson further highlighted measures taken by the Tinubu administration to strengthen security institutions, prioritise intelligence-led operations, and foster coordination among agencies, asserting that these efforts demonstrate proactive governance rather than indifference.

Atiku Abubakar had criticised the President on his social media handle, arguing that the visit to Plateau, a state affected by insurgency, appeared more as a social engagement than a demonstration of empathy for victims of violence.

“With large swathes of the country still under siege from unrelenting insecurity and thousands of innocent lives lost, it is deeply unfortunate that President Bola Tinubu has not, for once, found it worthy to visit any of the affected states to commiserate with the grieving citizens,” Atiku wrote.

He cited previous incidents in Benue, Niger, and Kwara States, alleging that the President had failed to console affected communities.

The former Vice-President described the visit as a reflection of misplaced priorities, stating, “This is a President who would rather feast than feel, a leader who finds pleasure where the people find pain. Nigerians are watching, and they will remember.”

The APC, however, maintained that Tinubu’s presence in Plateau was intended solely to offer condolences and solidarity, insisting that the President’s focus on national security and citizen welfare remains unwavering.