Peter Obi, has taken a firm swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his failure to visit Yelwata in Benue State, citing bad roads as the reason. Obi described the excuse as unacceptable and a failure of leadership, especially after the President had already arrived in the state.
In a strongly worded statement, Obi said:
“One of the consistent principles of leadership is the willingness to make ultimate sacrifices and take risks. A true leader does not make excuses or complain; he shows up, sacrifices, and provides solutions, especially in difficult times.”
Obi challenged the rationale behind Tinubu’s inability to reach the affected community, asking, “If the Commander-in-Chief cannot reach a part of his own country due to bad roads, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian?”
He also questioned why a helicopter wasn’t used, pointing out that presidential aides and staff had managed to reach the area, indicating the roads weren’t entirely impassable.
Obi emphasized that leadership demands presence in times of pain, stating:
“The people of Benue did not need protocol or explanations. They needed empathy. They needed presence. The roads may be bad, but what is worse is the institutional neglect that brought us to this point.”
Ending his remarks, he reiterated his vision for national transformation:
A New Nigeria cannot—and will not—be built on excuses. It will be built on the sacrifices, courage, and responsibility of true leaders. A New Nigeria is POssible.
The remarks have reignited conversations across social media, with citizens demanding greater accountability and visible leadership from the presidency.
