Leadership Absenteeism: Tinubu Jets to the UK, Shettima Attends Ceremonies in Anambra As Maiduguri Burns

 Leadership Absenteeism: Tinubu Jets to the UK, Shettima Attends Ceremonies in Anambra As Maiduguri Burns In the wake of one of the deadlies...

 Leadership Absenteeism: Tinubu Jets to the UK, Shettima Attends Ceremonies in Anambra As Maiduguri Burns

In the wake of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in northeastern Nigeria in recent years, where at least 23 innocent lives were snuffed out and over 100 others left wounded in suspected suicide bombings in Maiduguri, the nation's leadership appears conspicuously detached. As Borno State reels from the horror of explosions ripping through crowded markets, a hospital entrance, and residential areas on the evening of March 16, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is en route to the United Kingdom for a "historic" state visit, while Vice President Kashim Shettima diverts to Anambra State for Governor Charles Soludo's second-term inauguration. This stark juxtaposition raises uncomfortable questions about priorities, empathy, and the government's commitment to securing its most vulnerable citizens.

The blasts in Maiduguri, the epicenter of the long-running Boko Haram insurgency, struck during iftar, the breaking of the fast in the holy month of Ramadan, targeting ordinary Nigerians going about their daily lives. Police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso confirmed the grim toll: 23 dead, 108 injured, with suspicions pointing to suicide bombers affiliated with remnants of Boko Haram or its splinter groups. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos: bloodied streets, wailing ambulances, and families scrambling to hospitals like the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), one of the very sites hit. Governor Babagana Zulum, a Borno native himself, labeled the attacks "cruel and cowardly," vowing resilience. Yet, where is the national leadership in this moment of crisis?

Instead of rallying in solidarity or spearheading an immediate response, President Tinubu departed Abuja, March 17, for London, ahead of his two-day state visit hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle starting March 18. Billed as a diplomatic milestone, the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades, the trip focuses on strengthening bilateral ties, trade, and perhaps Nigeria's global image. While diplomacy has its place, the timing couldn't be more tone-deaf. With fresh wounds in Borno, one wonders if photo ops at Windsor Castle truly outweigh the need for a visible presidential presence to console victims, boost troop morale, or coordinate federal resources for recovery and prevention.

Compounding is Vice President Shettima's itinerary. As a former governor of Borno State himself, Shettima should be uniquely positioned to understand the region's fragility. Yet, he is in Anambra, representing the president at Soludo's inauguration ceremony. High-profile guests like former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan are also attending, turning what should be a routine state event into a parade of political elites. Shettima's presence there, while understandable as a stand-in for Tinubu, underscores a broader issue: the administration's penchant for ceremonial distractions over substantive action. Borno's people, who have endured over 15 years of insurgency, deserve more than remote condolences; they need leaders who show up when it matters most.

This isn't an isolated incident of perceived absenteeism. The Tinubu administration has faced criticism for similar disconnects, from economic policies that exacerbate hardship to security lapses that allow militants to regroup. Maiduguri had enjoyed a fragile peace in recent months, but this resurgence of violence, following a military base attack just days prior, signals a failure in intelligence and counter-terrorism strategies. The Nigerian Army's swift response to secure the sites is commendable, but without top-level oversight, such efforts risk becoming reactive rather than preventive.

Critics argue this pattern reflects a government more attuned to international optics and political alliances than domestic crises. Tinubu's UK jaunt, while potentially beneficial for foreign investment, comes at a time when Nigeria's internal security demands undivided attention. Shettima's detour to Anambra, meanwhile, prioritizes gubernatorial pomp over the urgent needs of his home state. Where is the emergency cabinet meeting? The on-ground assessment? The direct address to the nation assuring Borno's residents that they are not forgotten?

To be fair, governance is multifaceted, and leaders can't be everywhere at once. Diplomatic engagements like the UK visit were likely planned months in advance, and state inaugurations are constitutional milestones. However, in a federation as volatile as Nigeria's, flexibility and symbolism matter. Postponing non-essential travel or delegating ceremonial duties could have sent a powerful message of solidarity. Instead, the optics suggest business as usual amid tragedy a narrative that erodes public trust and emboldens extremists.

As investigations into the Maiduguri attacks continue and communities mourn, Nigerians must demand better. True leadership isn't measured in state banquets or inauguration speeches; it's proven in the trenches, where the fight for peace and security is waged daily. 

Family Writers Press International