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By Myke Agunwa
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, saying that it turned out a political rally rather than a condolence visit that should be a solemn moment between the president, grieving families, and a quiet meeting with other stakeholders.
Obi further criticized the state governor, Rev. Hyacinth Alia for declaring a public holiday as a result of the visit, saying that such a gesture contradicts the import of the visit.
Recall that armed gunmen last week, believed to be militant herdsmen, attacked Yelewata community in Guma LGA, Benue State, opened fire on sleeping residents, and set homes and market stalls ablaze. The death toll from the incident is about 150 with many more missing, others wounded and hundreds displaced.
This massacre is part of an orchestrated killings in Benue in the past two months where over 200 people have been killed across multiple coordinated attacks over recent weeks. The killing has been associated with disagreement and land grabbing conquests of farmers by pastoralists.
Obi, in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, said that the president arrived at the venue in a celebrity regalia rather than a mourning toga.
“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 a similar number in Niger State,” Obi stated.
He said that the President’s posture and appearance did not reflect that of a mourner, but rather of one coming for a celebration.
“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor further condemned the decision by the Benue State Government to declare a public holiday for the visit, alleging that the day was used to organise fanfare instead of prayer or 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?”
“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.”
Comparing the visit with what obtains in other countries where other presidents visit areas of disaster Obi continued,
“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,” he said.
He warned that the current approach was eroding the soul of the nation.
“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 is losing its soul,” Obi said.
Tinubu had visited Benue State on Wednesday, following an attack that claimed over 100 lives. He also ordered security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.
“We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” the President told the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
Tinubu also visited victims of the attack who are receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
He was accompanied by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.