Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for displaying a lack of “leadership empathy” in response to the recent massacre of over 200 people in Benue State and the devastating floods in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi expressed his disappointment on social media, questioning why President Tinubu didn’t visit the affected areas in both states despite the proximity to the nation’s capital.
“Sadly, the evidence is right before our eyes. Recently, we witnessed severe flooding in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives, with many still missing. Yet, not even a single presidential visit, this, in a nation where the scene of the tragedy is less than an hour away by helicopter.
“Just days ago, over 200 Nigerians, innocent men, women, children, and even soldiers, were massacred in Benue State. Again, no presidential visit.
”No physical presence at the scenes of pain. No genuine national mourning. No leadership face to comfort the grieving or give hope to the people, ” he said.
Obi emphasised that President Tinubu’s absence in the wake of these tragedies reflected a lack of value for human life and empathy for the suffering of Nigerians.
He contrasted Tinubu’s response with that of leaders in other countries, such as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who promptly visited disaster sites to show solidarity and support for victims.
“Yet, we have seen what true leadership looks like elsewhere: In India, after a plane crash killed nearly 200 people, the Prime Minister was physically at the scene within hours.
“In South Africa, when floods claimed 78 lives, the president went personally to the affected communities, stood with them, and took responsibility.
“That is leadership with compassion. That is leadership that understands the value of human life. But here in Nigeria, we have normalised leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face.
“That is why I insist: Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader, a leader with competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue,” Obi’s post read.
Obi stressed that Nigeria needs leaders with compassion, competence, capacity, character, and integrity to address the nation’s complex challenges.
Obi urged Nigerians to move away from voting based on tribe and religion and instead choose leaders with proven competence, capacity, character, and compassion.
He warned that Nigeria will continue to face failed leadership and deepening suffering if citizens prioritize identity-based politics over principles and proven ability to lead.
