When Mourning Becomes a Carnival a Nation Loses Its Soul – Peter Obi
In the wake of the senseless killings of over 200 innocent Nigerians in Benue State, and devastating floods in Niger State that claimed a similar number of lives, many Nigerians pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit the affected communities—not with pomp, but with compassion and solemnity. But the President’s recent visit to Benue has drawn widespread criticism for its tone-deaf execution, more akin to a political rally than a condolence mission. Instead of a somber and reflective presence, the President arrived in celebratory agbada, as if attending a commissioning ceremony, not a region reeling from mass death. The state government declared a public holiday, not for mourning, but seemingly to organize fanfare. Schools were shut down, and children who lost classmates and loved ones were lined up in the rain to perform songs and dances for a presidential audience. This rehearsed pageantry in the face of tragedy has sparked outrage. “Condolence visits have become carnivals,” one commentator lamented. “We are not at war, yet our nation is bleeding—and we are clapping.” Critics argue that resources expended on optics—banners, music, security logistics—could have been used to provide relief supplies, trauma counselling, and medical support for grieving communities. Citing examples from abroad, critics point out how President Ramaphosa of South Africa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India have responded to similar crises with dignity and direct action, not staged crowds and celebration. “These were human beings—children, mothers, fathers—whose blood cries out for justice,” the statement continues. “We must ask: what kind of people have we become, when grief is met with spectacle?” As Nigeria continues to grapple with growing insecurity and environmental disasters, there are growing calls for empathy-based leadership, one that puts people before politics.