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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State has sparked widespread public outrage and debate across Nigeria, following his remark that “Nigerians hate me.” The comment came during his condolence visit to communities affected by the recent Benue massacre, which reportedly claimed the lives of over 200 people, including women and children.
TJ News Nigeria reports that Tinubu’s remark has been widely interpreted by many Nigerians as insensitive, given the grief-stricken context of his visit and the lingering security crisis in the region.
Background: The Benue Massacre
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The attacks occurred on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over 200 people were killed, with thousands displaced.
Victims include pregnant women, children, and elderly members of affected communities.
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Survivors and local leaders have repeatedly called on the Federal Government for urgent security intervention.
Nigerians React to Tinubu’s Comment
President Tinubu’s statement—“Nigerians hate me”—has drawn sharp criticism across social media platforms and from civil society groups.
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Many Nigerians questioned how the President could claim Nigerians “hate” him after reportedly securing over 8 million votes during the 2023 presidential election.
Public Sentiments
- Electoral Doubts: Some critics view the President’s statement as inadvertently raising fresh suspicions about the credibility of the 2023 election results.
- Insensitive Timing: The remark was particularly condemned given its delivery in the wake of a humanitarian tragedy.
- Calls for Accountability: Citizens continue to demand not just apologies for the comment, but also tangible actions to secure lives and property, particularly in Benue and other violence-prone regions.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that prominent activists and opposition voices have accused the presidency of focusing more on political rhetoric than addressing the escalating security challenges affecting rural communities in Nigeria.
Electoral Context
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- Official INEC Results (2023): Bola Ahmed Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to win the presidential election.
- Post-Election Petitions: Both the Labour Party (LP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the results, alleging widespread irregularities.
- Judicial Outcome: The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) and Supreme Court of Nigeria upheld Tinubu’s victory after dismissing the petitions on technical grounds.
Despite court rulings, public skepticism remains, especially among opposition supporters who feel that the election lacked transparency.
What Nigerians Are Demanding
- Immediate Security Action: Protecting vulnerable communities, especially in states like Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara.
- Clear Communication: Many Nigerians insist that political leaders must adopt empathetic and responsible communication, especially during national crises.
- Electoral Transparency: Renewed calls for comprehensive electoral reforms to strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
While President Tinubu’s remarks continue to trend on social media, TJ News Nigeria learnt that local leaders in Benue have reiterated their call for urgent federal intervention to prevent further loss of lives.
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