₦airaland Forum

Former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has tackled President Bola Tinubu over his visit to Benue State, stressing that the president “chose optics over empathy.”

Obi accused Tinubu of wearing a celebratory attire to Benue State instead of a mourning cloth.

Latest series of attacks in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State left about 200 people killed.

The attacks have been linked to armed herders interested in Benue lands.

Yesterday, Tinubu visited the state and promised to tackle the crisis.

Reacting, Obi said the condolence visit of the president was turned into a carnival.

Posting on X, he wrote: “What has happened to our compassion as a People?

“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 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.

“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?

“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. Precious Nigerian lives have been lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organizing processions, as though this were a campaign rally.

“This is not how any compassionate nation behaves. 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. 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 turn to campaign or festival, our Nation Losing Its Soul. A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO”

nairavsdollars:
It doesn't matter the clothes he wore. Not going to Yelwata is very bad

IkeIgboNiile:
We the citizens of this country are so gullible that our leaders can do anything and get away with it.
I remember when there was bomb blast in Nyanya Abuja during the GEJ tenure. You could see the concern and empathy written on GEJ face when he visited the site but i guess that can't happen again.

seanfer:
Lies... Same GEJ that was dancing on the campaign ground a day after the bomb blast... GEJ went to the hospital to see the injured days after nationwide backlash....

slivertongue:
What has happened to our compassion as a People?

IkeIgboNiile:
seanfer

Lies... Same GEJ that was dancing on the campaign ground a day after the bomb blast... GEJ went to the hospital to see the injured days after nationwide backlash....


Really Because if memory serves me right. He went to the site of the bombing very early on the day of the bombing.

IkeIgboNiile:
We the citizens of this country are so gullible that our leaders can do anything and get away with it.
I remember when there was bomb blast in Nyanya Abuja during the GEJ tenure. You could see the concern and empathy written on GEJ face when he visited the site but i guess that can't happen again.

IkeIgboNiile:
seanfer

Lies... Same GEJ that was dancing on the campaign ground a day after the bomb blast... GEJ went to the hospital to see the injured days after nationwide backlash....


Really Because if memory serves me right. He went to the site of the bombing very early on the day of the bombing.

Myrepublic:
And your Tinubu made statement,after Pope made statement. But he could go talking about Iran. Time to visit,he wear agbada .. I am sure the government carried DJs to party for the death of innocent citizens.

ogaemma:
Tinubu is an insensitive President.
The moment he refused to go to Yeluwata all because of the rain 🌧️💦 ⚡, I called his visit to Benue a show off.
What a deception we have as a President.

rejoice4eva:
Every thing about him is bad and insensitive.
That is the message.
Pure and simple!
May evil be the portion of every one dancing and celebrating over the blood of innocent Nigerians wasted over the years.

ogaemma:
Tinubu is an insensitive President.
The moment he refused to go to Yeluwata all because of the rain 🌧️💦 ⚡, I called his visit to Benue a show off.
What a deception we have as a President.

EvilMerodack:
Deciding not to wear a sack cloth to mourn the dead is what you term as insensitive?



God abeg o

See human reasoning

EvilMerodack:
Deciding not to wear a sack cloth to mourn the dead is what you term as insensitive?



God abeg o

See human reasoning

Sharpsharp00123:
see this one

An insensitivity detector

See as u place yourself important like say dem even know u for your street


"I called him a show off"


Who are u?

Bobloco:
Former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi has tackled President Bola Tinubu over his visit to Benue State, stressing that the president “chose optics over empathy.”


Obi accused Tinubu of wearing a celebratory attire to Benue State instead of a mourning cloth.

Latest series of attacks in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State left about 200 people killed.


The attacks have been linked to armed herders interested in Benue lands.

Yesterday, Tinubu visited the state and promised to tackle the crisis.

Reacting, Obi said the condolence visit of the president was turned into a carnival.


Posting on X, he wrote: “What has happened to our compassion as a People?

“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 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.

“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?

“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. Precious Nigerian lives have been lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organizing processions, as though this were a campaign rally.


“This is not how any compassionate nation behaves. 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. 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 turn to campaign or festival, our Nation Losing Its Soul. A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO”

https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/19/benue-tinubu-wore-celebratory-agbada-instead-of-mourning-cloth-peter-obi/

EvilMerodack:
How does wearing a black cloth to mourn the dead add anything to them?


There are other ways to respect the dead that strictly following some human-imposed dress code

He visited the place and also consoled them. That alone is everything

IkeIgboNiile:
seanfer

Lies... Same GEJ that was dancing on the campaign ground a day after the bomb blast... GEJ went to the hospital to see the injured days after nationwide backlash....


Really Because if memory serves me right. He went to the site of the bombing very early on the day of the bombing.