President Bola Tinubu's condolence visit to Benue State has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation after allegations surfaced that schoolchildren were compelled to line the streets under heavy rain to welcome him. The President visited the state to sympathize with victims of recent attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 300 lives were reportedly lost in a deadly assault by suspected herdsmen ¹.
Details of the Visit
- *Forced Welcome*: Schoolchildren from government-owned institutions were mobilized for the welcome rally, despite a statewide public holiday declared by the Benue State Government. Many children stood in the rain for hours, sparking concerns about child abuse and exploitation.
- *Political Overtones*: The welcome rally took on a political tone, with groups holding placards bearing images of Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia, along with messages suggesting a second-term campaign.
- *Public Outcry*: The incident has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the decision to involve schoolchildren in the rally and expressing disappointment in the government's actions.
Reactions
- *Criticism on Social Media*: Many social media users have condemned the decision to involve schoolchildren in the rally, describing it as "nonsense" and "child abuse."
- *Governor's Aide's Message*: A message from Francis U. Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Groups Mobilization, surfaced online, calling on support groups to massively mobilize for the President's welcome.
Implications
The incident has raised concerns about the politicization of condolence visits and the exploitation of schoolchildren for political purposes. The outrage on social media reflects a broader discontent with the handling of such events and the perceived insensitivity to the plight of the victims of the Yelwata attack ¹.
