Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu over his failure to visit Yelwata, Benue State, following the recent massacre of over 200 residents.
Obi said the President’s justification — that poor road conditions prevented his visit — was not only unacceptable but a glaring sign of failed leadership.
In a statement released on Thursday via his official Facebook page, Obi expressed deep disappointment that Tinubu, who was already in Benue, failed to make the short journey to Yelwata to commiserate with grieving citizens.
“One of the consistent principles of leadership is the willingness to make ultimate sacrifices and take risks,” Obi wrote.
“A true leader does not make excuses or complain; he shows up, sacrifices, and provides solutions, especially in difficult times.”
Obi dismissed the road condition narrative, pointing out that if the President’s security team and aides could access the area, then Tinubu could have as well—particularly by air.
He questioned why the presidential air fleet wasn’t deployed for such a critical visit.
“Are we to believe that a country with a presidential air fleet couldn’t find a way to fly the President to Yelwata to comfort grieving citizens?” Obi queried.
He stressed that the absence of the President during such a moment of national sorrow symbolized not only detachment but institutional neglect.
Obi further argued that a leader’s presence in times of grief is more than symbolic—it is essential to nation-building and empathy.
“If the Commander-in-Chief cannot reach his citizens due to bad roads, what hope is there for the average Nigerian who plies those same roads every day?” he asked.
Calling for a radical shift in leadership style, Obi concluded, “A New Nigeria cannot and will not be built on excuses. It will be built on the sacrifices, courage, and responsibility of true leaders.”
The comment has sparked widespread debate online, reigniting discussions around government accountability, leadership presence, and the ongoing security crisis in Benue State.
