- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Benue State has triggered reactions as video of billboards mounted along Makurdi road in appreciation of his visit surfaced online.
The President had on Monday disclosed that he will be paying a condolence visit to the state today over the weekend’s attack on Yelewata town which left over 200 people dead.
In preparation for his visit, the state government declared Wednesday work-free day in honour of the President.
However, the visitation has raised eyebrow as appreciation and campaign billboards were seen erected along a major road in the state.
As captured in a video shared on X on Wednesday, one of the billboards read “Renewed Hope, Rising Benue: Thank you for your condolence with the people of Benue”.
Another billboard read; “In Tinubu we Trust, in Alia We Continue” with the President and Governor’s pictures as well as the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) logo and 2027 Election inscribed in it.
This had sparked mixed reactions from netizens with slamming the state government for politicizing the visitation while others defended the courtesy.
“All the duties that are supposed to be done have turned POLITICAL advantage. Let’s Nigerians wake from this nonsense. The first thing is making a loud welcome for the president for coming to the state and now posters for thanking the president for the visit.”@Taiwo Sodiq
“I keep saying it …na useless people de that state that’s why those bandits keep preying on them”@dejeweliwejor.
“Same people that said Obi was coming to politicise the killings in Benue with his black on black and dusty shoes. Na dem don roll out banner so abi no be so?”@Baba Chale
“With this picture I don’t feel sorry again for the people of Benue, how can you allow this in the state where the president was pushed to come see you and was even reluctant to come. Benue people can do better than this now”@kacyfyn1
“Meanwhile there is no other place on earth you welcome a president over a disaster. I am lost.”@MichaelAmobi1
“So if someone pay you a condolences visit, and you thank and them, you’ve done something bad?”@mr___topson
“This is when the street is suppose to be filled with placard that #StopBenueGenocide will be boldly written on it but instead they are romancing the president. This country sha”@emmydegem
“I’ve been waiting to see what these Benues are up today 😭. Mental slavery is a terrible thing.”@Farm_Assist7