Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, describing it as a politically motivated spectacle rather than a condolence visit.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Farotimi expressed deep disappointment saying, the rest of the President’s visit merely revealed “windows into his preoccupation and what truly concerns his aides and assistants,” rather than addressing the urgent humanitarian and security crisis facing the region.
He accused the organizers of prioritizing political theatrics over genuine empathy for the victims.
“In Benue, they knew exactly what was of importance to the President, so they ensured that they put up the necessary theatre for 2027.
“The death of over 200 people did not count much; they were mentioned only in passing, and you would have been excused to think it was a political event.
“It was more or less that they went to dance on the graves of some who may not even be identified,” he lamented. “We’ve almost lost our capacity to be shocked.”
Farotimi stressed that the state’s primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of its citizens, a duty he says has been glaringly neglected.
“I must say very quickly that it would have been better if the President didn’t go,” he stated.
The activist singled out the Tor Tiv’s speech as the only moment of substance during the visit.
“The only thing worthy of anybody’s time was the words of the Tor Tiv, who spoke extensively to the reality of the situation in the Benue Trough and eloquently expressed the pains of the victims,” he said.
