Peter Obi Slams Tinubu for Ignoring Benue, Niger Crises
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has criticized the current state of leadership in Nigeria, declaring that the country lacks the kind of leaders required to drive genuine progress.
In a statement shared via his 𝕏 handle on Monday, Obi said that for a nation to thrive, its leadership must demonstrate four essential qualities: competence, capacity, character, and compassion — qualities he believes are absent in the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
Obi condemned Tinubu’s failure to visit Niger State, where severe flooding claimed nearly 200 lives, and Benue State, which recently experienced brutal communal violence resulting in the deaths of over 200 people, including soldiers.
He lamented that the president’s absence in these moments of national tragedy reflects a disturbing lack of compassion and empathy for citizens in distress.
He emphasized that “when a leader lacks compassion, human lives are reduced to mere statistics,” and their suffering becomes easily ignored.
Obi contrasted Tinubu’s inaction with the swift responses of world leaders in similar situations: in India, where the Prime Minister visited the scene of a deadly plane crash, and in South Africa, where the President personally visited flood victims and took responsibility.
Obi stated,
“Leadership of a nation is either working or failing—there is no middle ground. To move forward, Nigeria must be led by individuals who embody the four Cs: competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Without them, leadership becomes hollow, and the people continue to suffer.”
He stressed that:
- Competence is needed to understand national issues and craft solutions.
- Capacity is essential for the energy and resilience leadership demands.
- Character ensures integrity and public trust.
- Compassion, he noted, is crucial because it humanizes leadership and ensures that citizens’ welfare is prioritized.
The former Anambra State governor called on Nigerians to abandon tribal and religious sentiments when choosing leaders, arguing that these emotional biases have repeatedly produced disastrous outcomes. Instead, he urged citizens to demand real leadership grounded in principles and human values.
“Nigeria doesn’t need just another President,” Obi concluded. “It needs a true leader — one who is competent, capable, has strong character, and above all, leads with compassion. Only then can we break free from the cycle of suffering. A New Nigeria is POssible.”
Peter Obi Slams Tinubu for Ignoring Benue, Niger Crises