Peter Obi Faults Tinubu Over Benue Site Skipped – Global Updates

Peter Obi addressing press – global updates

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for skipping a visit to Yelwata community in Benue State site of a deadly attack that left over 150 people dead during his trip on June 18.

President Tinubu explained that rain, flooding, and bad roads prevented him from reaching the community. However, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) posted Friday, June 20, Obi said leadership demands presence and sacrifice, especially in times of crisis.

“One of the consistent principles of leadership is the willingness to make ultimate sacrifices and take risks. A true leader does not make excuses or complain; he shows up, sacrifices, and provides solutions, especially in difficult times,” Obi wrote.

He noted that while he does not advocate exposing the President to unnecessary risk, citing bad roads as an excuse is unacceptable especially when presidential aides managed to reach the community. Obi questioned the logic: if roads were too bad for the President, how are they safe for ordinary Nigerians?

“If the Commander-in-Chief cannot reach a part of his country, what hope is there for the people who use those roads every day?” Obi asked.

He added that alternatives such as helicopters were available and should have been deployed to show solidarity with grieving citizens. “Benue needed empathy, not excuses. Leadership is not about comfort it is about presence, especially in moments of tragedy,” Obi emphasized.

He concluded by urging Nigerian leaders to abandon excuses and embrace the responsibility required to build a better, more compassionate nation.