Obi criticizes Tinubu, Alia for turning Benue condolence visit into carnival

By Jude Opara

Peter Obi has berated President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia as insensitive for turning a condolence visit into a carnival.

“The President arrived not in mourning cloth but in celebratory agbada attire, like it was an occasion for joy. We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals,” said the former Anambra governor in a statement on Thursday, condemning the optics of Mr Tinubu’s Wednesday visit to Benue over the killing of hundreds of people in Yelewata in Guma LGA.

The presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 election pointed out that “even more heartbreaking is the role of the state”.

Mr Obi added, “Rather than being in (a) mourning mood and weeping declared a public holiday, not for reflection or prayer, but to organise 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?”

Mr Obi also decried the display of banners welcoming and thanking Mr Tinubu for visiting Benue, saying the resource deployed for such could have been used to provide relief materials for victims of the Yelewata massacre.

“A time that should be marked by silence and solemnity is now polluted by banners, music, and rehearsed spectacles. Precious Nigerian lives have been lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organising processions as though this were a campaign rally.

“Enough of this culture of impunity. We are not at war, yet our nation is bleeding, and we are clapping. It is not only insensitive, it is dangerous,” Mr Obi said.

The opposition politician stated that Wednesday’s activities sanctioned by Messrs Tinubu and Alia were “not how any compassionate nation behaves”.

“The energy, resources, and logistics poured into this charade could have gone into food supplies, temporary shelters, medical aid, school support, and trauma counselling for grieving families,” said Mr Obi. “Instead, we chose optics over empathy.”

During his visit, Mr Tinubu charged security agencies to end the spiral of violent attacks in Benue and other parts of the country. The president also directed that a peace resolution committee be constituted to end the ongoing killings in Benue and its environs.