2027: Tinubu promises to rebuild Plateau communities

President Bola Tinubu has promised to rebuild Plateau communities affected by violence and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

He made the pledge on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Jos, where he also asked residents to forgive him for not visiting affected communities during his previous trip to the state in April.

He acknowledged that his last visit was limited to the airport, saying he had seen the devastation caused by the attacks and received reports from Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

“When I last visited the other time, I was limited to the airport. Forgive me if you didn’t see me in the hinterland, but I saw the devastation. I got the report from the governor. I saw horror in the faces of our people,” he said

The President said the state had since made progress towards rebuilding and urged residents to work together to achieve lasting peace.

But since then, that has changed. We are forging together. It is now that we can rebuild and I assure those displaced that we will rebuild your communities.

“We will rebuild your communities, and we will bring you back to your community. I have directed all the security agencies to take decisive action and sustain peace and stability on the Plateau,” he added

He also called on residents to put aside their differences and embrace unity, stressing that ethnic and linguistic differences should not make them enemies.

“We are one single family created by the same God Almighty. We are just living in different rooms, speaking different languages and behaving any way we want.

But living in different rooms and speaking different languages does not make us enemies of one another. We have to live together. We have to farm together.

“We have to build this Plateau and this country together. It is our responsibility to tie our horns, behave as brothers and sisters, belonging to the same God Almighty,” Tinubu said.

The President’s remarks came about seven months after his April visit to Plateau following the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where at least 27 people were killed.

During that visit, Tinubu met victims’ families, community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders at a facility near the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang but did not travel into Jos or visit the affected community.

The decision attracted criticism from opposition figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who described the airport meeting as a failure of leadership.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also criticised the limited nature of the visit, describing it as insensitive to grieving residents.

The Presidency subsequently explained that logistical constraints, including Tinubu’s delayed arrival and restrictions on night flights at the airport, made it difficult for him to travel into the city and return before dusk.

Plateau has experienced recurring attacks in several communities, particularly in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bassa local government areas, resulting in deaths, destruction of property and displacement.

The violence has also disrupted farming activities and livelihoods, with affected residents repeatedly calling for improved security and the safe return of displaced persons.