Oby Ezekwesili Blasts Benue Government Over Students Standing in Rain to Welcome President Tinubu

 

A storm of criticism has hit the Benue State Government after images emerged of schoolchildren lined up along the streets of Makurdi, soaked in rain and waving flags to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President's visit, prompted by recent deadly attacks in Guma Local Government Area and other parts of Benue, was intended to show solidarity. However, the optics of the event have ignited outrage across the country, especially from former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.

Via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Ezekwesili strongly rebuked the Benue State authorities, questioning the morality and humanity of subjecting children—some of whom may have recently lost family members to violence—to stand in the rain for a ceremonial display.

Her criticism focused not just on the event itself, but on what it symbolizes: the chronic insensitivity of Nigeria’s political class and their detachment from the suffering of ordinary citizens.

Describing the scene as “saddest,” Ezekwesili didn’t hold back. “The saddest part is that some of these children may be from among the hundreds of families mourning their loved ones and yet are compelled to stand in the rain and give misleaders that have shown ZERO care for them a ‘rousing welcome’,” she wrote.

She expressed dismay over the systemic normalization of such practices, where appearances and pageantry are prioritized over empathy and genuine governance. Her remarks painted a grim portrait of a political culture that is more concerned with optics than outcomes, more invested in displays of power than in easing the pain of its people.

President Tinubu’s trip to Makurdi came on the heels of escalating violence attributed to armed herders, leaving a trail of bloodshed in communities like Yelwata in Guma LGA. The attacks have further displaced families and strained an already fragile security environment in the state. Amidst this turmoil, the President’s arrival was expected to serve as a beacon of assurance. Instead, the state's decision to line children up for a ceremonial welcome, regardless of the weather or ongoing mourning, has become the subject of fierce public scrutiny.

Rather than focusing on security strategies or humanitarian responses, the welcoming ceremony—complete with drenched children, school uniforms clinging to their skin—has become the most discussed aspect of the visit. This, for critics like Ezekwesili, underscores everything wrong with the country’s leadership approach.

“The political class believes the Nigerian citizens are conquered souls. Will it always be so?” she asked rhetorically. “No, because there is that one Factor that our politicians never add to their equation when they become carried away with and drunk on Public Power.”

Ezekwesili’s remarks touched a nerve with many Nigerians who have grown increasingly impatient with performative governance. Social media platforms buzzed with agreement, as commentators shared pictures and personal stories, comparing the Makurdi episode with similar incidents in other states.

The practice of using children to line streets for political receptions, often during school hours and under poor weather conditions, is not new. It has become a symbolic routine in Nigeria’s political culture—one that prioritizes appearances over substance. However, amid growing awareness and a more vocal citizenry, such displays are being called out more frequently and more forcefully.

Human rights advocates have also joined the conversation, describing the incident as a violation of the rights of children. “This is a shameful display of state irresponsibility,” said a spokesperson from a national child welfare organization. “Subjecting children to such treatment not only undermines their dignity but exposes them to health risks.”

As the debate rages on, many are asking whether the President or his entourage were aware of the conditions under which these children were made to wait. Others have called on the federal government to investigate the matter and issue guidelines to ensure that children are never again used as ceremonial pawns in political events.

Dr. Ezekwesili’s comments have reignited a broader discussion on accountability and leadership ethics. Her call for reflection goes beyond the confines of Benue State. It urges all tiers of government to reassess the symbols they uphold and the people they claim to serve.

The tragedy of the recent killings, the trauma of families in mourning, and the sight of rain-soaked children standing on the roadside in forced celebration have merged into a poignant image—one that may long linger in the minds of Nigerians as a metaphor for a country struggling with its conscience.