Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he described as an inappropriate and celebratory approach to a condolence visit in Benue State, following recent killings.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Obi expressed disapproval over what he called the president’s “fanfare-style” visit, lamenting that the tone and visuals of the event sharply contradicted the somber mood the situation required.
Obi particularly took issue with President Tinubu’s choice of attire, noting that the president appeared in his signature Agbada regalia rather than wearing something more reflective of the mourning occasion.
“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it were an occasion for joy,” Obi said.
He further stated that the event felt more like a political rally than a solemn condolence visit, suggesting it would have been more appropriate for a road commissioning event.
“What we saw in Benue visit was instead of a solemn, reflective visit, a display that would have been more befitting for the commissioning of the reconstructed Enugu-Makurdi highway, a critical road connecting South and Northern Nigeria, which had become impassable for years,” he added.
Obi also directed criticism toward Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State for organizing what he called an insensitive reception.
According to him, students and grieving parents were made to line up in the rain to receive the president, instead of being allowed to mourn in peace.
“Even more heartbreaking is the role of the State. Rather than being in a mourning mood and weeping, the state declared a public holiday, not for reflection or prayer, but to organize 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 questioned.
