By Seyi Babalola
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for failing to visit Benue State despite the ongoing killings.
Obi said in a Monday morning post on X that it demonstrated Tinubu’s disregard for human life.
He cited occurrences in India and South Africa as examples of excellent leadership when tragedy strikes.
Tinubu’s response to the killings of more than 200 people by herdsmen in Benue state has sparked worldwide indignation.
The president’s message came about 24 hours after the catastrophe, with Pope Leo offering his sympathies much earlier.
Obi wrote: “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.
“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.
“Yet, we have seen what true leadership looks like elsewhere:
“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.
“That is why I insist: 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.”