Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to visit Yelwata community in Benue State, where over 200 people were recently massacred by attackers.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, Obi described the President's excuse of "bad roads" as unacceptable and indicative of weak leadership, especially considering Tinubu was physically present in Benue State but did not reach the affected community.
Leadership Requires Sacrifice
"One of the consistent principles of leadership is the willingness to make ultimate sacrifices and take risks," Obi stated. "A true leader does not make excuses or complain; he shows up, sacrifices, and provides solutions, especially in difficult times."
The former Anambra State governor questioned the validity of the road condition excuse, pointing out that presidential aides and security teams had managed to use those same roads. He further questioned why alternative transportation methods weren't utilized.
"Even if we accept that the roads were truly impassable, which they are not, since his aides and security teams used them, what happened to the helicopters?" Obi asked. "Are we to believe that a country with a presidential air fleet couldn't find a way to fly the President to Yelwata to comfort grieving citizens?"
Symbolic Importance of Physical Presence
Obi emphasized the symbolic importance of leadership presence during national tragedies, stating that Nigerians expected empathy rather than protocol or excuses from their president.
"If the Commander-in-Chief cannot reach his citizens due to bad roads, what hope is there for the average Nigerian who plies those same roads every day?" he questioned.
The Labour Party leader concluded his criticism by condemning what he described as institutional neglect and calling for a new kind of leadership rooted in action, sacrifice, and compassion.
"A New Nigeria cannot and will not be built on excuses. It will be built on the sacrifices, courage, and responsibility of true leaders," he stated.
The Yelwata massacre, which claimed over 200 lives, has become a focal point for discussions about security challenges and leadership response in Nigeria.
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