Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has criticised Presi­dent Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, describing it as lack­ing the solemnity and empathy that should define a condolence visit to victims of mass killings.

Obi said the visit, rather than offering comfort to grieving fam­ilies, took on the air of a political rally, complete with fanfare and celebration.

The LP standard bearer in 2023 election also faulted Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, for declaring a public holiday to mark the president’s visit, argu­ing that such an action contra­dicted the somber nature of the tragedy that befell the state.

Recall that armed gunmen be­lieved to be militant herdsmen, attacked Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, opening fire on sleeping residents and setting homes and market stalls ablaze. The attack claimed the lives of over 150 people, leaving many others wounded, and displacing hundreds. It forms part of a wave of coordinated attacks in Benue over the past two months, during which more than 200 people have been killed in what has been linked to disputes over land be­tween farmers and pastoralists.

In a post on his official X han­dle on Thursday, Obi decried the manner of the visit, noting that the president arrived in elaborate agbada attire, unbefitting of the mourning atmosphere the occa­sion demanded.

“We pleaded that the president should show leadership and vis­it Benue and Niger states in the spirit of deep national mourning, to offer compassion and solidar­ity to families torn apart by the senseless massacre of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue State and flooding that killed a similar number in Niger State,” Obi stated.

He added, “The president ar­rived not in mourning clothe but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy.”

Obi also condemned the dis­play organised for Tinubu, al­leging that children who should have been mourning were in­stead made to stand in the rain, singing and dancing as part of a rehearsed spectacle.

“In what kind of country does this happen? We have tragically ar­rived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals. A time that should be marked by silence and solemnity is now pol­luted by banners, music and re­hearsed spectacles,” Obi lamented.

Drawing comparisons with leaders of other nations, Obi cit­ed South African President, Cyr­il Ramaphosa, and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, noting how they conducted themselves with solemnity during recent na­tional tragedies.

“When President Ramaphosa visited Mthatha after the floods in South Africa, there were no drums. No staged crowds. No rent­ed cheers. Just presence, silence and action. When Prime Minister Modi went to the site of a crash, no one lined up to welcome him. He came, he mourned, he acted. That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain,” he added.

Obi warned that the handling of such tragic events with fanfare was eroding the nation’s moral fibre.

“These were human beings, children, mothers, fathers whose blood cries out for justice. When very sad incidents like this turn to campaigns or festivals, our nation is losing its soul,” Obi stated.

Tinubu, during his visit to Benue, on Wednesday, directed security agencies to intensify ef­forts to apprehend those behind the killings, telling the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christo­pher Musa: “We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out.”

The president also visited vic­tims receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

He was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, amomg others.