By Emmanuel Kwada
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has fiercely criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent condolence visit to Benue State, describing it as a “carnival” devoid of empathy. The visit, meant to console families grieving the massacre of over 200 Nigerians, instead featured fanfare, with schoolchildren forced to sing and dance in the rain to welcome the president, sparking outrage.
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… pic.twitter.com/CZS8sHnNYD
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 19, 2025
Obi, in a scathing statement, expressed dismay at the celebratory tone of the visit, which coincided with a public holiday declared not for mourning but for what he called a “rehearsed spectacle.”
He noted that the president arrived in “celebratory agbada attire,” contrasting sharply with the somber mood expected for such a tragedy. “Children who should be mourning their slaughtered classmates were lined up under the rain, rehearsed to sing and dance. In what kind of country does this happen?” Obi questioned.
Children who should be mourning their slaughtered classmates were lined up under the rain, rehearsed to sing and dance. In what kind of country does this happen?
The visit, Obi argued, resembled a festive event more suited for commissioning infrastructure, like the reconstructed Enugu-Makurdi highway, rather than a moment of national mourning. He decried the use of banners, music, and processions, calling it a tragic departure from compassion.
“We have arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals,” he lamented, warning that Nigeria is “losing its soul.”
Drawing comparisons to global leaders, Obi highlighted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s silent, action-focused visit to flood-hit Mthatha and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s solemn response to a crash site. “That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain,” he said, urging Nigeria to redirect resources from “optics” to practical aid like food, shelters, and trauma counseling.
I was in Benue today. The scale of destruction and loss is heartbreaking.
To the good people of Benue, I see your pain. I feel it with you. And I assure you, we will not leave you behind. We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone. pic.twitter.com/ARCeQ5gXvl
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) June 18, 2025
Sentiment on X reflects widespread frustration, with users condemning the “tone-deaf” visit and the use of schoolchildren in the rain as a symbol of Nigeria’s failing empathy. However, some defended Tinubu, arguing that leadership involves action, not just mourning attire, and that the president met stakeholders to address the crisis.
That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain
Obi’s remarks underscore a broader call for a “new Nigeria,” one that prioritizes justice and compassion over political displays. “We are not at war, yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping,” he warned, emphasizing the need to honor the lives lost with dignity and action.
As Nigeria grapples with this controversy, the debate over leadership and empathy in times of crisis intensifies, leaving many to question the nation’s moral compass.
Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
