Obi slams Tinubu for no-show at Benue, Niger tragedy sites
By : Jimisayo Opanuga
Peter Obi and Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has come under fire from former Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi for failing to travel to Benue and Niger states in the wake of recent tragic events that claimed hundreds of lives.
Obi tweeted on Monday that true leaders show care and support by being present when people are suffering.
He pointed out that after nearly 200 people died in flooding in Niger State and over 200 were killed in attacks in Benue State, President Tinubu did not visit either location.
“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,” Obi wrote.
“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.”
Obi said the true test of national leadership lies in its competence, capacity, character, and compassion qualities he claims are missing in Tinubu’s leadership, saying that “Where these four are non-existent, there is no magic you can do.”
Obi argued that leadership is not just about holding office but about showing up when it matters most.
He added, “Competence because Nigeria today needs a leader who understands the issues, who has the knowledge, experience, and clear ideas to solve them. Capacity because it is not a ceremonial position; it requires strength, stamina, and the mental energy to confront our complex challenges.
“And above all, leadership must be rooted in character and integrity because without integrity, public trust collapses, corruption thrives, and selfishness takes over. But perhaps most importantly, we need compassion, because when a leader lacks compassion, human lives are treated as statistics, and suffering is ignored.”
Obi drew comparisons between President Tinubu and other world leaders, particularly the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, who have personally visited disaster sites within hours of tragedies in their countries.
He noted, “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.”
Obi, however, urged Nigerians to choose leaders on these principles, adding that the cycle of pain will only continue.
“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.”
GUARDIAN Newspapers