The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the recent massacre in Benue State, where over 200 individuals—including women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons—were reportedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen. He described the killings as a national tragedy and a clear reflection of leadership failure in Nigeria.
In a heartfelt post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, the former Governor of Anambra State expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, saying his heart is heavy with grief. Obi stressed that the frequent recurrence of such atrocities in Benue State signals the need for a national emergency to address the worsening state of insecurity.
He lamented that homes have been destroyed, families torn apart, and entire communities reduced to ruins. “This is not just an act of violence,” Obi stated, “it is a glaring failure of leadership and a shame on our collective conscience.”
Obi emphasized that every Nigerian life is valuable and irreplaceable, and that the normalization of mass killings must not be tolerated. He questioned the kind of legacy the government is leaving for future generations, pointing out that the most fundamental duty of any government—whether at the federal, state, or local level—is the protection of lives and property.
Addressing the people of Benue directly, Obi assured them that their pain is shared by all Nigerians and that the loss of their loved ones cries out for justice. He urged the authorities to take urgent, deliberate, and comprehensive actions beyond mere symbolic visits and statements.
He called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to securing lives through concrete and effective measures, not just rhetoric. According to Obi, ensuring the safety of Benue citizens is both a moral and national obligation.
“This is not the Nigeria we deserve, nor the Nigeria we dream of,” he concluded. “We must put an end to this bloodshed and reclaim our shared humanity.”
