Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Silence: “Where Is the President While Benue Bleeds?”( A Deafening Silence from the Top)
Still in the wake of another round of deadly attacks in Benue State, Nigerians are again left grappling with a familiar horror villages razed, lives lost, and leaders missing in action. While the rest of the nation mourns, one person is demanding answers: Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Obi has publicly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s refusal to visit Benue, by labeling it a national disgrace and a betrayal of leadership. But this controversy remain more than a war of words. It reveals a deepening crisis of trust in Nigeria’s highest office and raises uncomfortable questions about ethnic bias, leadership priorities, and political irresponsibility which we are all asking why?, why do the president dont want to take real action or even pay visit to the victimised state.
The Benue Killings: A Recurring Nightmare
Over 100 people have been reported dead in coordinated attacks across several communities in Benue’s Ukum and Guma LGAs in recent weeks. Armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen stormed homes in the middle of the night, gunning down civilians and torching entire villages.
It’s not the first time. Benue has become Nigeria’s killing field a state abandoned to chaos. Yet, no presidential visit, no strong statement from Aso Rock, and no national address from President Tinubu.
Why?
Peter Obi: “Leadership is Responsibility, Not Comfort”
Peter Obi took to social media and public forums to express what many Nigerians are thinking but afraid to say:
“Leadership demands presence. The President cannot stay silent while fellow Nigerians are being slaughtered. Where is Tinubu while Benue burns?”
Obi’s criticism wasn’t just emotional it was strategic. He pointed to Tinubu’s active presence at international summits, party events, and even social gatherings, contrasting it with his total absence from the scenes of national tragedy.
For Obi, it’s not just about Benue. It’s about the values of leadership.
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Tinubu’s Absence: Political Calculations or Cold Indifference?
Tinubu’s silence and physical absence from Benue have fueled widespread speculation. Is the president deliberately ignoring the crisis? Is he afraid of backlash from the Fulani herder lobby? Or is this simply a continuation of the APC tradition of selective empathy?
Many Nigerians remember how former President Buhari also ignored multiple calls to visit Benue during his tenure, despite mounting casualties. Tinubu’s failure to break this pattern is being seen by some as a continuation of ethnic favoritism, especially as the attackers are widely believed to be Fulani militias.
A President for All, or Some?
Obi’s remarks cut to the heart of the matter: Should any region feel abandoned in a united Nigeria?
By not visiting Benue, Tinubu sends a dangerous message that some lives matter less. This is especially damaging in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, where unity must be reinforced by equal empathy, not selective compassion.
Tinubu has, in his short time in office, visited Lagos multiple times, made media appearances, and flown abroad for economic summits. But when ordinary Nigerians children, farmers, mothers are murdered in Benue, he remains invisible.
What Obi Demands: Action, Not Just Words
Peter Obi is not just pointing fingers. He’s also laying down expectations:
- Immediate Presidential Visit to Benue to show solidarity and empathy.
- Deployment of Special Forces to secure the region.
- Full investigation and naming of perpetrators no more hiding behind “unknown gunmen.”
- Federal compensation for victims and rebuilding of affected communities.
- Establishment of a national security summit to address the root causes of these attacks.
According to Obi, “The time for excuses has passed. We need a leader who leads from the front, not from the comfort of an air-conditioned villa.”
Support from the Public: Obi Speaks Their Pain
Obi’s bold stance has resonated with many Nigerians, especially the youth and victims in the Middle Belt. Social media is flooded with hashtags like:
- #VisitBenueNow
- #TinubuWhereAreYou
- #BenueLivesMatter
For a people long ignored by the federal structure, Obi’s voice is a rare show of solidarity from a top-tier political figure and that carries weight.
The Political Risk: Is Obi Playing with Fire?
Critics have accused Obi of politicizing tragedy. APC loyalists claim he’s using the Benue crisis to gain political points and stoke regional resentment.
But Obi and his supporters argue: “Is it politics to demand leadership? Is it tribalism to ask the President to mourn the dead?”
If holding the government accountable is now seen as “politics,” then Nigeria is in more trouble than it realizes.
Benue: A Litmus Test for Tinubu’s Presidency
This crisis is bigger than Peter Obi. It’s bigger than Benue. It’s a litmus test for Tinubu’s presidency.
Will he step up and show Nigerians that he is a leader for all, or will he hide behind press statements and leave vulnerable citizens to die in silence?
Peter Obi has lit a match. The fire is spreading. Now the world is watching.
WhatsnextNG Conclusion: Silence is Not Presidential
In a democracy, a President’s presence is not symbolic it’s strategic. It calms fears, shows strength, and affirms that every Nigerian life is worth fighting for.
This article explores Peter Obi’s sharp criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his failure to visit Benue State following a series of deadly attacks. Obi accuses Tinubu of abandoning his constitutional duty by staying silent and absent while innocent Nigerians in Benue are being massacred. The piece contrasts Tinubu’s visible presence at social and international events with his total absence from national tragedies, raising questions about selective empathy and leadership priorities.
Obi calls for immediate action: a presidential visit, stronger military presence, justice for victims, and national security reforms. His stance resonates with many Nigerians who feel ignored by the federal government. While some accuse Obi of politicizing the crisis, his supporters argue he’s voicing the people’s pain. Ultimately, the article positions the Benue crisis as a litmus test for Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that silence in the face of mass killings is a betrayal of the nation.
Tinubu’s failure to visit Benue is more than an oversight it’s a betrayal. And Peter Obi, standing on the side of justice, has dared to call it what it is.
Nigeria cannot afford leaders who pick and choose when to care.
