The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has harshly criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to visit Yelwata, the Benue community recently hit by a deadly massacre, after citing “bad roads” as the reason for not making the trip
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, Obi called Tinubu’s excuse unacceptable, describing it as a reflection of weak leadership and a lack of empathy during a moment of national grief.
“How can a sitting president claim he couldn’t access a part of his own country because of poor infrastructure—under his own administration?” Obi queried. “One of the core principles of leadership is the willingness to show up and make sacrifices, especially in times of crisis.”
Obi pointed out that the killings in Yelwata were not sudden and that the President had ample time to prepare and plan a meaningful visit. He said even if the roads were truly in poor condition, alternative travel options like helicopters were available.
“Even presidential aides and staff managed to access the area. What then stopped the President from using a helicopter? Are we now saying a country with a presidential air fleet can’t fly its leader to mourn with grieving citizens?” he asked.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that leadership demands presence, not explanations, especially when lives have been lost. He said what the people of Benue needed was not protocol, but compassion and visibility from their Commander-in-Chief.
“If the President cannot access part of his country due to bad roads, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian who faces those roads daily?” he added.
Obi condemned the administration’s approach as a symbol of deep-rooted institutional neglect and called for a new era of leadership defined by action and accountability.
“A New Nigeria cannot—and will not—be built on excuses,” he said. “It must be built on sacrifice, courage, and responsibility. That is what true leadership looks like.”
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