Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for canceling his visit to Yelewata in Benue state following a deadly attack. Tinubu cited “rain, flood, and bad roads” as reasons for not visiting the epicentre of the massacre. Obi argues that leadership demands sacrifice and presence, especially during tragic events.
According to Obi, a true leader doesn’t make excuses or complain; instead, they show up, sacrifice, and provide solutions, especially in difficult times. He believes Tinubu’s excuse is unacceptable, given that the visit was planned days after the massacre.
Obi also questioned why the president couldn’t use helicopters to reach Yelewata, considering the nation boasts a presidential air fleet.
Obi emphasized that the responsibility for fixing the state’s decrepit roads lies with the state and federal governments. “If the Commander-in-Chief can’t reach a part of his country due to bad roads, what hope is there for ordinary Nigerians?” he asked. Obi stressed that leadership is about sacrifice, standing with the people, and providing empathy and presence in times of need.
The people of Benue didn’t need explanations or protocol; they needed empathy and presence, Obi said, adding that the roads may be bad, but what’s worse is the institutional neglect that brought them to this point. “A New Nigeria cannot be built on excuses. It will be built on the sacrifices, courage, and responsibility of true leaders,” he concluded.
