By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election in Nigeria, Peter Obi has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue state on Wwdnesday, saying that we have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals.
Peter Obi, who took to his X handle to express his displeasure, lamented that a time that should be marked by silence and solemnity was polluted by banners, music, and rehearsed spectacles at a time when precious Nigerian lives were lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organizing processions, as though this were a campaign rally.
In a statement titled: “What has happened to our compassion as a People, the former Anambra State Governor recounted how Nigeria 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 similar number in Niger State.
“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, a critical road connecting South and Northern Nigeria which had become impassable for years.”
“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy”, Obi said.
According to Obi, even more heartbreaking is the role of the State – rather than been in mourning mood and weeping declared a public holiday, not for reflection or prayer, but to organize fanfare. Schools were shut down. 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.
Peteter Obi further highlighted that this is not how any compassionate nation behaves, adding that the energy, resources, and logistics poured into this charade could have gone into food supplies, temporary shelters, medical aid, school support, and trauma counselling for grieving families, but instead, we chose optics over empathy.
“Look elsewhere: 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.”
“We must ask ourselves: What kind of people have we become?
“Enough of this culture of impunity. We are not at war yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping. It is not only insensitive, it is dangerous.”
“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 is Losing Its Soul,” Obi stated.
He however reiterated that regardless these odds, there is hope of a POssible new Nigeria.
Precise Post recalls that from the itenery released last weekend, President Tinubu was meant to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission some projects but had to shift it to Thursday to enable him visit Benue state to commiserate with the Government and people of Benue State over the senseless killing that took place there recently.
