Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has sparked widespread shock and anger by declaring Wednesday, 18 June, a public holiday and ordering residents to line the streets for a “colourful procession” to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is visiting to address the recent massacre of over 200 people in Yelewata and Daudu communities.
The directive, issued via a memo by Francis Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant on Special Groups Mobilization, instructs support groups to don uniforms and form a “shoulder-to-shoulder” rally from Makurdi Airport to the Government House, where Tinubu will hold a town hall meeting.
The move has been met with fierce criticism, with many calling it “tone-deaf” and “insensitive” given the ongoing grief over the coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders, which left entire households burned and hundreds displaced.
Social media posts on X reflect public fury, with users questioning why a condolence visit warrants a celebratory parade. “Why should we welcome Tinubu with fanfare when our people are in mass graves?” one resident posted.
As Benue mourns, the governor’s call for festivity has deepened public frustration, raising questions about leadership priorities in a state long plagued by insecurity.
But Governor Alia described Tinubu’s visit as a “profound gesture of solidarity,” emphasising its role in reinforcing federal government’s commitment to peace. However, critics argue the elaborate reception undermines the gravity of the crisis, with some accusing the governor of prioritising political optics over victims’ plight.
Tinubu, who rescheduled a Kaduna trip for this visit, is expected to meet stakeholders to discuss solutions to the issues fueling the violence.
The UN and Amnesty International have condemned the attacks, urging swift justice.
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