Farotimi: Tinubu’s Benue trip was staged for 2027, not response to killings

Dele Farotimi, human rights advocate, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue state.

The president was in Benue to commiserate with the state government and the people over recent attacks by suspected herdsmen which left over 200 people dead in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA.

In an interview on The Morning Brief,  Channels Television programme, on Thursday, Farotimi said that the president failed to address the gravity of the situation.

“I must say very quickly that it would have been better if the president didn’t go (to Benue),” he said.

Farotimi claimed that the only meaningful contribution during the visit came from the Tor Tiv, the traditional ruler of Benue, who “spoke extensively to the reality of the situation in the Benue trough and spoke eloquently to the pains of the victims”.

“All the president had to offer were mere windows into his preoccupation and what truly concerns his aides and assistants,” Farotimi said.

He accused the state government of orchestrating the visit for political reasons ahead of the 2027 elections, rather than a genuine response to the crisis.

“In Benue, they knew exactly what was of importance to the president, so they ensured that they put up the necessary theatre for 2027,” he said.

Farotimi claimed that the deaths of over 200 people were only mentioned in passing during the visit.

“The death of over 200 people did not count much; they were mentioned only in passing — and you would have been excused that it was a political event,” he said.

He said the fundamental responsibility of the state to protect its citizens, noting that this duty has been neglected.

“The primary reason the state exists is to protect the lives and property of the citizens. We’ve almost lost our capacity to be shocked,” Farotimi added.

”200 human beings were murdered, and the President went to Benue and was talking as if he were preparing for a campaign rally.”

During the visit, the president asked security heads to ensure that perpetrators of the attack are arrested and punished.