Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his delayed visits to crisis-hit areas in Nigeria. In a post on X, Obi acknowledged Tinubu’s planned visit to Benue but urged that similar compassion be extended to Niger State, particularly Mokwa, where floods have claimed over 200 lives and left more than 1,000 people missing.
Obi expressed that while it was positive for Tinubu to visit Benue, the urgency of the situation in Niger also warrants immediate attention. He emphasized that the scale of devastation in both regions demands equal national focus, stating, “Both Benue and Niger States have lost over 200 lives each due to recent tragedies.”
He further highlighted the relatively short distances from Abuja to both Makurdi and Mokwa, which are about 282km and 287km, respectively. Obi contrasted this with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent trip of over 1,800km to visit flood victims, underscoring that if Ramaphosa could travel such a distance, Tinubu should also prioritize visits to affected communities.
Obi concluded by urging Tinubu not only to visit but also to enhance security and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions, advocating for proactive leadership that responds with compassion and action rather than “leadership by remote control.”
