Peter Obi Blasts Tinubu for Turning Benue Condolence Visit Into a Political Carnival

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as an insensitive and flamboyant visit to Benue State following the massacre of over 200 civilians in the region.

In a statement posted on his official X handle, Obi expressed deep disappointment over Tinubu’s choice of attire and the general tone of his visit, accusing the president of failing to show the expected empathy and leadership during a time of national mourning.

“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,” Obi wrote. “But instead of a solemn, reflective appearance, we saw a display more suited for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

Obi specifically criticized Tinubu for arriving in what he called “a celebratory agbada,” instead of donning mourning attire. He argued that the president’s appearance sent the wrong message to a grieving population and failed to honor the gravity of the tragedy.

He went on to condemn the state’s handling of the visit, describing the declaration of a public holiday and the closure of schools as part of a choreographed spectacle to welcome the president, rather than an act of mourning and solidarity.

“Children who should have been grieving their murdered classmates were made to stand in the rain, singing and dancing for the President. What kind of country turns condolence visits into carnivals?”

Obi said such fanfare in the face of mass loss of life was a betrayal of basic human empathy. He lamented that instead of directing resources towards emergency support, temporary shelters, and trauma care, the state prioritized optics and political showmanship.

Drawing comparisons with global leaders, Obi cited how South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited disaster sites in their countries without the trappings of spectacle—choosing solemnity and action over performance.

“That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain,” Obi said. “We must ask ourselves: What kind of people have we become?”

He warned that the continued normalization of grand displays in the face of national tragedies is not just insensitive but deeply dangerous, adding that such actions erode the soul of the nation.

“We are not at war, yet our nation is bleeding—and we are clapping. These were human beings—mothers, fathers, and children—whose blood cries out for justice. When moments like this turn into campaign rallies, our nation loses its soul,” he concluded.

Obi reaffirmed his vision for a more compassionate and responsible Nigeria, stating, “A New Nigeria is POssible.”