Peter Obi Criticizes Tinubu’s Administration Over Silence on National Tragedies

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a lack of empathy and leadership in the face of recent national tragedies.

Obi, in a statement posted on his official X account, lamented the government’s failure to physically respond or show compassion following two major incidents — the killing of over 200 people in Benue State by suspected herdsmen and the flooding in Niger State which reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives.

According to the former presidential hopeful, leadership is not hidden. “Leadership of a nation is such that it’s either succeeding or failing; none can be hidden,” he said, stressing that the foundation of effective leadership rests on four core values — competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Where these four are non-existent, there is no magic you can do,” Obi stated.

He urged Nigerians to move away from electing leaders based on ethnicity and religion, saying the nation’s current challenges are rooted in the choices made at the ballot.

“Nigeria today needs a leader who understands the issues, who has the knowledge, experience, and clear ideas to solve them,” he said, adding that capacity is also critical because governance is not a ceremonial role.

Obi further noted that integrity and compassion are essential for public trust and social cohesion.

“When a leader lacks compassion, human lives are treated as statistics, and suffering is ignored.”

Referencing the tragic incidents in Benue and Niger states, Obi condemned the absence of a presidential visit to comfort victims or assess the situation firsthand.

“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.”

Drawing comparisons to global responses, he noted that leaders in countries like India and South Africa have often shown up at the scene of disasters within hours to offer solidarity and assume responsibility.

“That is leadership with compassion. That is leadership that understands the value of human life,” he added.

Obi said Nigeria has, unfortunately, normalised “leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face,” a trend he believes must be reversed if the country is to heal and progress.

He concluded with a call to action:

“Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader — a leader with competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue.”

The statement has since sparked conversations across social media and among political observers, many of whom share Obi’s sentiments about the urgent need for responsive and humane governance.

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