Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for failing to visit Benue State in the wake of ongoing killings in the region.

 

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) Monday morning, Obi accused the president of showing a lack of empathy and concern for human lives. He highlighted the recent massacre of over 200 people by herders in Benue and the deadly floods in Niger State that left nearly 200 dead, stressing that Tinubu has not made any personal visits to the affected communities.

 

Obi contrasted Tinubu’s inaction with responses from leaders in other countries, citing how the Indian Prime Minister swiftly visited the scene of a deadly plane crash, and the South African President personally met flood victims. According to Obi, such actions demonstrate leadership rooted in compassion and accountability, qualities he says are sorely missing in Nigeria’s current leadership.

 

He added that even Pope Leo issued condolences before the Nigerian president did, emphasizing the delayed and detached response from Tinubu.

 

“Nigeria doesn’t just need a new president,” Obi wrote. “It needs a true leader, one with competence, character, capacity, and compassion. Until we start electing leaders based on these values, the nation will remain trapped in a cycle of pain.”