Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to personally visit Benue State following the recent mass killings that claimed over 200 lives.
In a post shared via his official X handle on Monday morning, Obi described the president’s absence as indicative of a disregard for human life.
Obi contrasted Tinubu’s response to similar tragedies in other countries, where leaders showed up promptly to support grieving citizens.
“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.
“Just days ago, over 200 Nigerians, innocent men, women, children, and even soldiers were massacred in Benue State.
“Again, no presidential visit. No physical presence at the scenes of pain. No genuine national mourning. No leadership face to comfort the grieving or give hope to the people.
“Yet, we have seen what true leadership looks like elsewhere:
“In India, after a plane crash killed nearly 200 people, the Prime Minister was physically at the scene within hours.
“In South Africa, when floods claimed 78 lives, the president went personally to the 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.
“That is why I insist: Nigeria does not just need 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.”
Public outrage has mounted since the attacks in Benue, with many Nigerians calling for swift action and accountability. President Tinubu’s public response came nearly 24 hours after the incident, further fuelling criticism, especially as international figures, including Pope Leo, issued condolence messages much earlier.
The development has reignited national conversations around empathy and leadership in times of crisis, with several voices in civil society demanding not just statements but visible, compassionate action from the highest levels of government.
