Yemi Obafemi
The Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over recent tragedies that have rocked parts of the country, including severe flooding in Niger State that reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives and the massacre of over 200 civilians and security personnel in Benue State.
He criticized the federal government’s response, noting the absence of presidential visits or any visible show of leadership at the scenes of these calamities.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Obi lamented what he described as the normalization of leadership in Nigeria that lacks empathy, accountability, and a human face.
“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.
Contrasting the situation in Nigeria with leadership responses in other countries, Obi highlighted how Indian and South African leaders personally visited disaster sites to offer support and take responsibility.
“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 noted.
Obi underscored the urgent need for a new kind of leadership in Nigeria one rooted in competence, capacity, character, and compassion.
He warned that unless Nigerians begin to elect leaders based on merit rather than tribal or religious affiliations, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of pain.
“Competence because Nigeria today needs a leader who understands the issues, who has the knowledge, experience, and clear ideas to solve them. Capacity because it is not a ceremonial position; it requires strength, stamina, and the mental energy to confront our complex challenges.” Obi stated.
He added, “Above all, leadership must be rooted in character and integrity because without integrity, public trust collapses, corruption thrives, and selfishness takes over. But perhaps most importantly, we need compassion, because when a leader lacks compassion, human lives are treated as statistics, and suffering is ignored.”
