Peter Obi Slams President Tinubu’s ‘Carnival-Style’ Condolence Visit to Benue

The former Labour party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has criticized President Tinubu’s ‘Carnival-Style’ Condolence Visit to Benue State on Wednesday 18, 2025.

“The President arrived Benue in celebratory agbada attire, like it was a joyful occasion. The atmosphere in Benue did not reflect mourning, but rather celebration.Children who should be mourning their classmates and parents were lined up under the rain, made to sing and dance for the PresidentIn what kind of country does this happen?

We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals.A time that should be marked by silence and solemnity was polluted by banners, music, and rehearsed spectacles.What exactly was being celebrated?When very sad incidents like this turn into a campaign or festival, our nation is losing its soul.A nation that celebrates, when should cry.”

We have tragically arrived at a point where condolence visits have become carnivals. A time that should be marked by silence and solemnity is now polluted by banners, music, and rehearsed spectacles. Precious Nigerian lives have been lost, yet we’re clapping, singing, and organizing processions, as though this were a campaign rally.This is not how any compassionate nation behaves.

The energy, resources, and logistics poured into this charade could have gone into food supplies, temporary shelters, medical aid, school support, and trauma counselling for grieving families. Instead, we chose optics over empathy. Look elsewhere:

When President Ramaphosa visited Mthatha after the floods in South Africa, there were no drums. No staged crowds. No rented cheers. Just presence, silence, and action. When Prime Minister Modi went to the site of a crash, no one lined up to welcome him. He came, he mourned, he acted. That is what leadership looks like in moments of pain. Mr. Obi said