Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for failing to visit Yelwata in Benue State, the site of a recent massacre, citing “bad roads” as an excuse.
In a statement released Thursday via his official Facebook page, Obi described Tinubu’s inability to reach the affected community—even after being in Benue State—as a failure of leadership. He questioned how a sitting president could be deterred by poor infrastructure under his own administration.
“One of the consistent principles of leadership is the willingness to make ultimate sacrifices and take risks,” Obi stated. “A true leader does not make excuses or complain; he shows up, sacrifices, and provides solutions, especially in difficult times.”
Obi argued that the president had ample time to prepare for the visit and could have arranged alternate transport, including helicopters. He also pointed out that presidential aides were able to navigate the roads to the community, casting doubt on the claim that the area was inaccessible.
“Even if we accept that the roads were truly impassable—which they are not, as presidential aides and staff managed to navigate them—what happened to the use of helicopters?” he asked. “Are we saying a nation that boasts of a presidential air fleet could not airlift the President to Yelwata to condole with grieving citizens?”
The former governor of Anambra State stressed that true leadership requires presence and empathy in moments of national grief. He said what the people of Benue needed was not excuses or protocol, but visible compassion and solidarity.
“If the Commander-in-Chief cannot reach a part of his own country due to bad roads, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian who plies those same routes every day?” Obi queried.
He concluded by condemning what he called institutional neglect, calling for a new era of leadership anchored on responsibility and action. “A New Nigeria cannot—and will not—be built on excuses. It will be built on the sacrifices, courage, and responsibility of true leaders,” he said.
