Tinubu, Alia Insensitive, Turned Benue Condolence Visit Into Carnival – Peter Obi
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi has berated President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia, describing them as insensitive for turning a condolence visit into a carnival.
Obi, in a statement on Thursday, said, “The president arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire like it was an occasion for joy. We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals.”
He condemned the optics of Mr. Tinubu’s Wednesday visit to Benue over the killing of hundreds of people in Yelewata in Guma LGA.
The former Anambra State governor pointed out that “even more heartbreaking is the role of the state”.
Obi added, “Rather than being in (a) mourning mood and weeping declared a public holiday, not for reflection or prayer, but to organise 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?”
Obi also decried the display of banners welcoming and thanking Mr. Tinubu for visiting Benue, saying the resources deployed for such could have been used to provide relief materials for victims of the Yelewata massacre.
“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 organising processions as though this were a campaign rally.
“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,” Obi said.
He further stated that Wednesday’s activities sanctioned by Messrs Tinubu and Alia were “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,” he noted.
“Instead, we chose optics over empathy.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
