As Benue mourns the massacre of over 200 civilians in Guma and surrounding communities, the state government has stirred backlash by instructing support groups to organize a “colourful” welcome procession for President Bola Tinubu, who is visiting the state tomorrow. In an official memo signed by Hon. Francis Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant on Special Groups Mobilization, the groups were asked to mobilize massively from the airport to Government House, where the President will address a town hall meeting.
The directive, which outlines accreditation by colour codes and choreography along the procession route, has been condemned by many as grossly insensitive, with many asking what a colourful procession has to do with a condolence visit. A shameful act that reeks of political insensitivity, to say the least. The residents are still grieving and communities in shock, and this call for pageantry has been viewed as a disturbing show of misplaced priorities.
While the state declared a public holiday to allow residents to receive the president, what Benue needs is justice, not optics. This is a disturbing lack of empathy from a sitting governor whose people are still burying their dead. Amid the planned displays, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of pain and a growing frustration with political insensitivity.
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