Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, calling it an event that did not match the deep sorrow of the people affected by a deadly attack.
Obi said the President’s approach to the tragedy was far from what the country needed in such a painful moment.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, Obi said the President’s visit looked more like a political event than a trip to comfort grieving families.
He noted that the country had expected true leadership and compassion during this difficult time, especially after the brutal killing of over 200 Nigerians in Benue and serious flood losses in Niger State.
Obi wrote, “We pleaded that the President should show leadership and visit Benue and Niger states in the spirit of deep national mourning, to offer compassion and solidarity to families torn apart by the senseless massacre of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue State and flooding that killed a similar number in Niger State.”
However, Obi noted that the way the President presented himself and the events that took place during his visit did not reflect sorrow. He said Tinubu wore bright traditional attire instead of mourning clothes and was received with cheering crowds, music, and dancing—things that Obi believed were not proper during a time of national grief.
“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy,” Obi said.
He also questioned the decision by the Benue State Government to declare a public holiday for the visit, adding that it seemed more like a show than a moment for prayer or silence. Obi was particularly disturbed by the sight of children performing under the rain to entertain the President, even though many of their classmates and relatives had died in the attacks.
“Children who should be mourning their slaughtered classmates and parents were instead lined up under the rain, rehearsed to sing and dance for the President. In what kind of country does this happen?” he asked.
Obi noted that true leadership in times of tragedy should be quiet, respectful, and filled with real care. He compared Tinubu’s visit to those of world leaders like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who have both handled past tragedies with simple presence, silence, and immediate action.
“No staged crowds. No rented cheers. Just presence, silence, and action,” Obi said.
He warned that treating tragic moments like celebrations was damaging the moral values of the nation.
“When very sad incidents like this turn to campaign or festival, our nation is losing its soul,” he said.
President Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to meet with victims of the attack, some of whom are being treated at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital. He also held a town hall meeting where he ordered security forces to find and arrest those responsible.
“We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” Tinubu said to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
He was accompanied by top government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
