April 6 2026

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has vigorously defended President Bola Tinubu's visit to Plateau State following recent security incidents there, pushing back against criticism that the president's movement was unnecessarily disruptive and that his time at the scene was too brief.

Wike argued that Nigerians apply an unreasonable and selectively critical standard to the presidency that no other country in the world would tolerate.

Speaking during an Easter edition of Ministerial Chats, Wike drew a direct comparison with the United States, asking whether Nigerians are aware of the security perimeter requirements that accompany any movement by the American president.

In America, if the president comes, 10 kilometres of the area — nobody will be around. Do you know that?" he said. "Why should Nigeria be different?"

The minister said he was watching a television programme earlier that morning when two commentators criticised the president for going to Plateau, suggesting that his presence caused disruption to travellers and commuters. He said he found the commentary bewildering and deeply irresponsible.

I was so taken aback," he said. "If he did not go, you complain. When he went, you complain that he was in a hurry to leave."

Wike said the more meaningful question is not how long the president stayed at the scene but what concrete measures he directed upon returning.

What is more important is: is he concerned? What has he done to see that this insecurity is put to a stop?" he said, adding that President Tinubu met with traditional rulers, consoled families who lost loved ones, and ordered specific measures to prevent a recurrence.

He also raised the issue of air travel disruptions caused by presidential movements, asking critics whether they have ever been on a plane delayed because of a presidential take-off or landing and whether they believe such protocols should simply be abandoned.

"For security reasons, you cannot land — why can't you appreciate things?" he asked.

Wike said the visit demonstrated that the president is personally engaged with the security situation and means well for the affected communities.

He said reducing the significance of the visit to optics and protocol misses the substance of what the presidency is obliged to do in times of tragedy.

Naija news channel