Peter Obi has criticized Tinubu’s recent condolence visit to Benue State, describing it as a tone-deaf spectacle that failed to reflect the scale of tragedy faced by victims of mass killings and natural disaster in the country.
In a post on his official X account Thursday, the former Labour Party presidential candidate accused the government of prioritizing optics over empathy during a moment of deep national mourning.
“What has happened to our compassion as a People?” Obi asked, lamenting the shift from solemnity to celebration during Tinubu’s stop in Benue, where over 200 people were reportedly killed in a massacre. He also referenced similar losses from recent flooding in Niger State.
Obi said the occasion, rather than offering sincere solidarity with grieving families, turned into a public parade, complete with banners, rehearsed crowds, and music—an event he likened more to a political rally than a condolence visit.
“We pleaded that the President should show leadership and visit Benue and Niger States… 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,” he said.
He also condemned the appearance and tone of the visit, saying, “The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.”
READ MORE: Peter Obi Mourns Benue Massacre, Blames Leadership Failure
According to Obi, the Benue State government contributed to the misplaced priorities by declaring a public holiday and shutting schools to stage a welcome party for the President, rather than creating space for grief and reflection.
“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 drew comparisons to leaders from other countries, noting how President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi handled similar tragedies with restraint, dignity, and focus on action rather than ceremony.
“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,” Obi said. “That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain.”
He warned that turning national grief into political theatre is dangerous and signals a loss of moral direction in the country. “We must ask ourselves: What kind of people have we become?” Obi continued. “Enough of this culture of impunity. We are not at war yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping.”
Calling for a reset in leadership values, he concluded: “Let us not forget: These were human beings, children, mothers, fathers whose blood cries out for justice. When very sad incidents like this turns to campaign or festival, our Nation Losing Its Soul.” “A New Nigeria is POssible!” he signed off.
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