Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned the federal government for what he described as a troubling lack of empathy in the face of recent national tragedies, particularly the massacre of over 200 people in Benue State and the devastating floods in Niger State.
In a statement on Monday titled “What cannot be hidden in Leadership”, Obi expressed outrage that President Bola Tinubu has yet to physically visit any of the affected communities or publicly offer direct consolation to grieving families.
“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.
He also referenced the recent flooding in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives, lamenting the government’s silence and inaction.
“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,” he noted.
Obi accused the government of normalising leadership without human feeling or accountability. He compared Nigeria’s response to tragedies with that of other countries where presidents have shown up in person to demonstrate compassion.
“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,” he said. “That is leadership with compassion. That is leadership that understands the value of human life.”
He argued that true leadership is measured not just by economic or political decisions but by the presence and empathy shown in times of crisis.
Using the moment to reflect on broader governance failures, Obi restated his long-held view that Nigeria’s leadership problems stem from a culture of voting based on tribe and religion rather than merit.
“Leadership of a nation is such that it’s either succeeding or failing, none can be hidden. There are critical areas of leadership that must exist for a nation to move forward, and these are summed up in four Cs: Competence, Capacity, Character and Compassion,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to reject sentimental voting and instead elect leaders who possess these qualities.
“Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue. Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader,” Obi said.
