President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State on Tuesday has triggered a wave of public anger and condemnation following allegations that schoolchildren were compelled to line the streets under heavy rain to welcome him.
The President is in the state to sympathize with victims of recent attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 300 lives were lost in a deadly assault by suspected herdsmen.
But what many expected to be a solemn condolence visit turned into a political parade, as groups were seen along major roads holding placards bearing images of Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia, with messages suggesting a second-term campaign.
Despite a statewide public holiday declared by the Benue State Government, eyewitnesses report that schoolchildren from government-owned institutions were mobilized for the welcome rally, many of them soaked as they stood in the rain for hours.
Videos from the scene quickly went viral, sparking outrage across social media platforms.
“This is nonsense,” wrote Ogwuche Anderson Paul. “If my child were there, I would go pick them up.”
“Why should parents even let their children go to school today when they declared a public holiday?” asked Felix Shaibu.
“What a country,” lamented Anthony Q Da Singer.
“No be child abuse be this?” wrote Boaz Jachin in disbelief.
The criticisms intensified after a previously circulated message from Francis U. Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Groups Mobilization, surfaced online.
The message called on support groups to come out en masse to welcome the President.
“At the instance of our dear Governor, His Excellency Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State, kindly mobilize massively to give a rousing welcome to our President… A colourful shoulder-to-shoulder procession from the Airport to Wurukum Roundabout and down to Government House, Makurdi, is expected,” the statement read.
