Peter Obi Slams President Tinubu Over Benue Massacre Visit Snub: “Leadership Is About Sacrifice, Not Excuses”

In a strongly-worded statement that has stirred nationwide debate, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to visit the grief-stricken Yelwata community in Benue State, the site of a recent deadly massacre. Despite being physically present in the state, the president did not make a stop in Yelwata, citing “bad roads” as the reason — a justification Obi described as unacceptable and disappointing for a sitting Commander-in-Chief.

Taking to his verified Facebook page, Obi emphasized that true leadership is revealed during times of crisis, not comfort. He condemned what he termed Tinubu’s poor show of empathy and dismissed the “bad road” excuse as a glaring demonstration of poor leadership values.

“One of the clearest traits of effective leadership is the readiness to show up in tough times,” Obi remarked. “Leaders are not meant to give excuses; they are expected to lead by example, even if it means putting themselves at risk. A president who truly understands the weight of his office would have found a way to reach the people.”

Obi did not stop there. He challenged the rationale behind the president's decision, questioning why alternative arrangements — like air transport — were not made, especially given Nigeria’s access to a full presidential air fleet.

“If the roads were truly impassable, what stopped the use of helicopters?” Obi asked. “We’re talking about a nation with the capacity to mobilize aerial transport for the president. Are we to believe that even that option was unavailable, or was empathy simply not a priority?”

Highlighting the emotional and psychological importance of a leader's physical presence during tragic events, Obi argued that nothing replaces direct engagement with affected citizens. He stated that the people of Yelwata deserved more than just statements — they needed visible support and genuine compassion.

Obi also raised a profound concern about the message such neglect sends to everyday Nigerians.

“If the president can’t visit a community in his own country due to poor infrastructure — which exists under his administration — what hope is there for the average Nigerian who faces those same conditions daily?” he said, underlining the irony and urgency of the situation.

He concluded his remarks by reiterating his long-standing call for transformational leadership in Nigeria — a leadership anchored in courage, presence, and sacrifice, not excuses.

“A new Nigeria cannot be built on the foundation of excuses,” Obi declared. “It must rise on the shoulders of leaders who are ready to put the people first, show up in the storm, and lead with integrity and resolve.”

The massacre in Yelwata has left many Nigerian families grieving and raised serious questions about the government’s response to internal security threats. As criticism mounts, President Tinubu’s absence from the affected area continues to generate public outrage across social media and political circles, intensifying calls for accountability at the highest levels of government.

With #BenueMassacre trending on Google and across major platforms, Obi’s bold remarks are now echoing nationwide, reigniting urgent conversations about leadership, security, and the responsibility of those elected to serve.