The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has launched a scathing criticism against President Bola Tinubu for his failure to visit Benue State following the recent massacre that claimed over 200 lives.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday morning, Obi expressed dismay at what he described as the president's lack of empathy and disregard for human lives.
"Sadly, the evidence is right before our eyes. Recently, we witnessed severe flooding in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives, with many still missing. Yet, not even a single presidential visit, this, in a nation where the scene of the tragedy is less than an hour away by helicopter," Obi stated.
The Labour Party leader highlighted the recent tragedy in Benue where over 200 Nigerians, including innocent civilians and soldiers, were massacred by herders. He noted that there was "no presidential visit, no physical presence at the scenes of pain, no genuine national mourning, and no leadership face to comfort the grieving or give hope to the people."
Contrasting Leadership Styles
Obi drew comparisons with leadership responses to tragedies in other countries, citing examples from India and South Africa. He pointed out that after a plane crash killed nearly 200 people in India, the Prime Minister was physically at the scene within hours. Similarly, when floods claimed 78 lives in South Africa, the president personally visited affected communities, stood with them, and took responsibility.
"That is leadership with compassion. That is leadership that understands the value of human life. But here in Nigeria, we have normalised leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face," Obi remarked.
The criticism comes amid widespread public outrage over President Tinubu's delayed response to the Benue massacre. Reports indicate that the president's statement came almost 24 hours after the incident, with even Pope Leo sending condolences much earlier.
Obi concluded his statement by emphasizing that Nigeria needs more than just another president: "Nigeria needs a leader, a leader with competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue."
The Benue killings have sparked reactions from other prominent Nigerians, including Pastor Paul Adefarasin and musician 2Face Idibia, who have expressed their concerns over the rising insecurity in the region.
Governor Alia of Benue State has also commented on the situation, noting that only three local government areas are currently under attack and suggesting that some villagers may be complicit in guiding attackers.
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