Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for deciding to visit Benue State following the recent brutal attack in Yelwata community, but insists the President must also prioritize a visit to Niger State where devastating floods have claimed hundreds of lives.
Speaking via his official X handle on Tuesday, Obi described Tinubu’s planned condolence visit to Benue on Wednesday as a welcome, though overdue, gesture. He, however, stressed that the same level of urgency and compassion should be extended to victims of the catastrophic flooding in Mokwa, Niger State.
Tinubu to Visit Benue Following Deadly Attack
On Monday, while inaugurating the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network, President Tinubu sympathized with the people of Benue State over last Friday’s attack in Yelwata, which left scores dead and several homes razed. He pledged to clear his schedule to personally visit the affected community on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Obi: Extend Same Gesture to Niger State Flood Victims
Reacting to the announcement, Peter Obi urged Tinubu to similarly visit Mokwa in Niger State, where more than 200 people reportedly lost their lives and over 1,000 remain missing after severe flooding submerged several villages.
“For this, I thank him,” Obi wrote, “even as I make further request that a similar gesture be extended to Niger State that lost more lives in a natural disaster, flood recently.”
Obi emphasized that immediate presidential visits to both Benue and Niger would send a powerful message of empathy and national solidarity, noting that the President’s physical presence in crisis-stricken communities is crucial.
Nigeria Must Prioritize Human Lives, Obi Says
Highlighting the proximity of the affected areas to the nation’s capital, Obi noted that Abuja to Makurdi is approximately 282km, while Abuja to Mokwa is around 287km — distances he argued were well within reach for a President committed to demonstrating leadership in times of national tragedy.
He compared the situation to that of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who recently undertook a 1,870km round trip to personally visit flood victims in Mthatha, where fewer casualties were recorded.
“If the South African President could do it, we trust that you, as our own President, can do the same for your people,” Obi stated.
Obi Calls for Enhanced Security and Disaster Response
Beyond condolence visits, Obi urged the federal government to step up security measures across the country, especially in communities vulnerable to disasters and attacks.
“We look forward to seeing not leadership by remote control, but proactive leadership that responds not just with words, but with compassion and action,” he concluded.
