“It Would Have Been Better If Tinubu Didn’t Visit Benue” – Farotimi Blasts President’s Insensitive Trip

Prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State, describing the trip as insensitive and performative in the face of mass killings across the state.

Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television Thursday, Farotimi said the President’s tone and posture during his visit to the state capital, Makurdi, failed to reflect the gravity of the tragedy faced by the people.

“Human beings were murdered, and the President went to Benue and spoke as if he was preparing for a campaign rally,” Farotimi remarked. “It would have been better if he didn’t go.”

Farotimi noted that the only meaningful statement during the visit came from the Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, who described the violence as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits.”

“All the President had to offer were mere windows into his preoccupation and what truly concerns his aides and assistants,” Farotimi added, suggesting the visit was orchestrated more for political optics than genuine concern for the victims.

Benue, known as one of Nigeria’s major food-producing states, has faced unrelenting attacks by suspected herdsmen, leading to widespread displacement and hundreds of deaths. In the past two months alone, over 160 people have been confirmed killed in a series of coordinated assaults. The most recent attack in Yelewata left dozens dead and displaced more than 3,000 residents. While government figures place the death toll at 59, civil society groups claim nearly 200 were killed.

The violence has sparked national outrage and international concern, including condemnation from Pope Leo XIV, who described the killings as a “terrible massacre.”

In response to growing pressure, President Tinubu visited the state on Wednesday and directed military chiefs to halt the bloodshed and bring the perpetrators to justice.

But Farotimi criticised the red-carpet reception and celebratory atmosphere surrounding the President’s visit, arguing that it was out of place given the scale of the tragedy.

“They knew exactly what was of importance to the President, so they ensured the necessary theatre was put in place for 2027,” Farotimi said, referring to the next election cycle.

“The death of over 200 people didn’t count much. It was more or less that they went to dance on the graves of victims—some of whom may still be unidentified.”

He concluded with a stark reminder: “The primary reason the state exists is to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Let the state begin to act accordingly.”