- Safiu Kehinde
Sequel to the weekend’s attack and massacre of over 200 people by suspected armed herdsmen at Yelewata town in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the state.
The President had on Monday announced his decision to reschedule his visit to Kaduna State in order to travel to Benue.
Following his arrival in Makurdi, the state capital, the President headed to the hospital where injured victims of the attacks were admitted.
He however shelved his plan to visit the scene of the incident on account of the heavy rain and flood which submerged the Lafia-Makurdi road.
Tinubu proceed to the state Government House where he had a town hall meeting with stakeholders of the state.
With Nigerians anticipating his actions over the Benue killing, the President delivered his address which, as monitored by NPO Reports contained 10 critical statements that will be highlighted and explained below.
The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people
Tinubu made this remark while addressing the state governors present at the meeting. He had called for synergy between the governors while reminding them of their functions which according to the President include provision of good governance, and supporting families through provision of healthcare, water system, and food production.
We Will Convert this Tragedy to Prosperity
While announcing the creation of a leadership committee, the President had pledged to ensure lasting peace while upturning the tragic incident into prosperity for the state.
I expect arrest of those criminals
Tinubu openly questioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over absence of report on any arrest of suspects in connection to the massacre. He charged the Force to effect arrest of the culprits.
Not everybody will like you in politics. They hate me, too—like hell. But here I am, still your President
In his address to Benue State Governor, Alia Hyacinth, Tinubu urged him to be open to accept insults and criticism, stressing that not everyone will admire him. Using himself as an example, the President told the governor that he is equally hated by many too but had to held his ground as the President of the country.
I will protect my abusers and accusers
While still addressing Alia, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to upholding the principle of democracy, freedom, and prosperity by protecting all Nigerians, including his critics.
Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You were not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans.
In his address to the security chiefs, Tinubu charged the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to fish out the suspected armed herdsmen. He also called for tangible intelligence from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the State Security Service (SSS).
We must change that attitude of hate
The President in his address held that Nigerians must learn how to share and accommodate. He called for a change in the attitude of hatred, stressing that there is enough land to feed and raise our children.
Seeing the ruins and carnage on camera is sad enough to take a decision
As against majority’s expectations, Tinubu failed to visit the Yelewata town where the weekend’s massacre occurred. The President cited flood and bad road as reasons for his inability to visit the town. He however maintained that the pictures and videos of the carnage are enough to take necessary actions over the menace.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces
Tinubu said he never expected his major visit to the state would be on account of a massacre.
We have to fight our enemies together, not each other
President Tinubu called for peaceful coexistence amongst various ethnic groups in the state while charging the state governor to meet with leaders of the respective ethnicities for peaceful resolution of the crisis.