Why Did Benue Declare Public Holiday to ‘Honour’ Tinubu? 

Nigerians have queried the Benue State Government’s decision to declare a public holiday to ‘honour’ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit, describing it as insensitive to the plight, especially with the aftermath of a massacre that claimed over 200 lives.

President Tinubu is visiting Benue today for the first time since taking office, with plans to engage stakeholders and commission federal projects. Governor Hyacinth Alia and other dignitaries will welcome him.

Yet for many, the visit feels more like political pageantry than a genuine display of concern.

Celebration in a Time of Mourning

Just days ago, gunmen attacked the community of Yelewata in Guma LGA, setting homes ablaze and killing indiscriminately. More than 200 people, including entire families, were slaughtered in the assault.

Instead of declaring a day of mourning, the state government announced a work-free day to celebrate the president’s arrival, a move residents and activists describe as a lack of regard for the lives lost in the attack.

A Late Response to a Lingering Crisis

President Tinubu’s visit comes after weeks of silence on the worsening security situation in the Middle Belt. Multiple attacks have taken place during this time, with rising casualties and growing tension across affected areas. Despite the scale of the crisis, there was no immediate reaction from the presidency.

The timing of the visit suggests that it is more of a public relations effort than a genuine intervention. No strong policy announcement or urgent relief measures accompanied it. Instead, it came after mounting criticism over the government’s lack of response.

Many see the trip as reactive rather than proactive. It was not initiated out of urgency, but only after pressure began to build. There were no immediate and clear steps to address the insecurity, no outlined plan for victims, and no clear direction on what the federal government intends to do next.

Critics insist that the visit, coming days after one of the deadliest attacks in recent times, is too late to provide comfort, and too vague to inspire confidence.