“The slaughtering of Christian worshippers is strongly condemnable. It calls into question the competence of Jonathan to protect Nigerians,” he wrote in 2014.
President Bola Tinubu has urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to resolve the recent killings in the state, contradicting his 2014 criticism of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for similar failures. While Tinubu previously declared that security was the president’s duty, he now insists Mutfwang must tackle the “root cause” of Plateau’s violence. “The political leadership in Plateau must address this age-long problem,” Tinubu said, despite over 450 Christians killed in targeted attacks since he took office in 2023.
The president’s remarks follow Monday’s massacre in Zikke and Kakpa communities, where gunmen killed 50 Christians. Residents reported hour-long attacks, with security forces failing to intervene. Tinubu’s 2014 statement—“A government unable to protect its citizens deserves to be queried”—now contrasts sharply with his current stance.
While pledging federal support, Tinubu emphasized ending retaliatory violence. Critics highlight his shifting rhetoric, recalling his past demands for presidential accountability during Jonathan’s tenure.