Peter Obi Criticizes Tinubu Over Cancelled Trip to Benue, Citing Poor Road Conditions

 A political storm has erupted following President Bola Tinubu's aborted visit to violence-ravaged Yelwata in Benue State, with former presidential candidate Peter Obi leading criticism over the cancellation. 

The incident has exposed simmering tensions between the government's security priorities and Nigeria's crumbling infrastructure.

The planned presidential visit came after deadly attacks by suspected herdsmen left over 50 villagers dead last week. However, Tinubu's convoy reportedly turned back midway when confronted with impassable roads leading to the community. While presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga insisted security advisories prompted the cancellation, eyewitnesses claim the deteriorating road conditions forced the change of plans.

Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential flagbearer, launched a scathing rebuke of the administration. "It is unconscionable that our president cannot access a community in distress because of neglected roads," he stated. "This speaks volumes about our leadership priorities when citizens daily navigate these death traps while government officials fly overhead."

The controversy has struck a nerve in Benue, where residents have long complained of federal neglect. Local farmer Terkula Shimave expressed the community's frustration: "They promise help when we're attacked but can't even reach us. Are we not Nigerians too?" Social media has been flooded with images of the rutted, flood-damaged roads that allegedly thwarted the presidential visit.

Security analysts note the incident highlights a vicious cycle plaguing conflict zones - poor infrastructure hampers security responses, while insecurity deters infrastructure development. "You can't deploy troops quickly when roads are washed out, and contractors won't work in dangerous areas," explained counterterrorism expert Dr. Kabiru Adamu.

The presidency maintains that alternative arrangements are being made to deliver aid to Yelwata, but opposition figures argue the aborted visit symbolizes broader governance failures. As the Tinubu administration grapples with multiple security crises across the country, this incident has added infrastructure neglect to its growing list of political vulnerabilities. With pressure mounting from both political opponents and affected communities, the government faces tough questions about its ability to secure the nation while failing to maintain basic transportation networks that could enable that security.