Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State, describing it as a display of celebration rather than a show of compassion and leadership in the face of tragedy.
Obi expressed disappointment over what he called the president’s insensitivity following a spate of deadly attacks in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which claimed the lives of around 200 people.
The attacks have been linked to armed herders allegedly targeting land in the region.
President Tinubu visited the state on Wednesday, pledging to tackle the escalating violence.
However, Obi, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), said the visit appeared more like a “carnival” than a condolence mission.
Posting on X, he wrote:
“What has happened to our compassion as a People?
“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 similar number in Niger State.
“But what we saw in Benue visit was instead of a solemn, reflective visit, a display that would have been more befitting for the commissioning of reconstructed Enugu-Makurdi highway, a critical road connecting South and Northern Nigeria which had become impassable for years.
“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.
“Even more heartbreaking is the role of the State. Rather than been in mourning mood and weeping declared a public holiday, not for reflection or prayer, but to organize fanfare. Schools were shut down. 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?
“We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals. A time that should be marked by silence and solemnity is now polluted by banners, music, and rehearsed spectacles. Precious Nigerian lives have been lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organizing processions, as though this were a campaign rally.
“This is not how any compassionate nation behaves. The energy, resources, and logistics poured into this charade could have gone into food supplies, temporary shelters, medical aid, school support, and trauma counselling for grieving families. Instead, we chose optics over empathy.
“Look elsewhere: When President Ramaphosa visited Mthatha after the floods in South Africa, there were no drums. No staged crowds. No rented cheers. Just presence, silence, and action.
“When Prime Minister Modi went to the site of a crash, no one lined up to welcome him. He came, he mourned, he acted. That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain.
“We must ask ourselves: What kind of people have we become?
“Enough of this culture of impunity. We are not at war yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping. It is not only insensitive, it is dangerous.
“Let us not forget: These were human beings, children, mothers, fathers whose blood cries out for justice.
“When very sad incidents like this turn to campaign or festival, our Nation Losing Its Soul. A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO”
Obi’s remarks have since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many Nigerians echoing his concerns about the lack of empathy in national leadership during times of crisis.
