Benue Massacre: Peter Obi Says Tinubu Lacks 4 Key Leadership Qualities, Cites India, South Africa

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of lacking the fundamental qualities required for genuine leadership. The opposition figure made this known while reacting to the recent Benue massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 Nigerians, including security personnel.

TJ News Nigeria reports that Obi condemned what he described as the consistent absence of compassion and accountability from Nigeria’s leadership, particularly during national tragedies, pointing fingers directly at the current administration under President Tinubu.

“Leadership Failure Cannot Be Hidden” — Obi Blasts Tinubu’s Government

According to Obi, leadership of a nation is either succeeding or failing — and neither can be hidden from the people. He emphasized that true leadership must demonstrate four essential characteristics: Competence, Capacity, Character, and Compassion.

“Where these four are non-existent, there is no magic you can do,” Obi declared, clearly referring to President Tinubu’s perceived leadership failures.

He insisted that Nigeria’s political system must move away from tribe and religion-based politics and focus squarely on competence-driven leadership, stressing that the country’s current plight is the direct consequence of electing leaders lacking the critical qualities of governance.

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Obi’s Four Cs: The Missing Ingredients in Tinubu’s Leadership

TJ News Nigeria learnt that Obi detailed the “Four Cs” of leadership as follows:

• Competence: Nigeria requires a leader who understands national problems and possesses the intellectual and professional ability to solve them.

• Capacity: The presidency is not ceremonial; it demands physical strength, stamina, and mental toughness to tackle Nigeria’s complex issues.

• Character: Without integrity and honesty, public trust erodes, paving the way for widespread corruption and national decay.

• Compassion: The lack of empathy in leadership turns human tragedies into mere numbers, with no meaningful response to national suffering.

“When a leader lacks compassion, human lives are treated as statistics, and suffering is ignored,” Obi remarked.

Tinubu’s Absence Amid National Tragedies

Obi pointed to recent deadly events in Nigeria to illustrate the failure of compassion by the Tinubu administration. He referenced:

• The Benue massacre, which saw over 200 Nigerians, including soldiers, brutally murdered.

• The flood disaster in Niger State, where nearly 200 lives were lost, yet no presidential visit was made to the affected areas.

“Not even a single presidential visit… no genuine national mourning… no leadership face to comfort the grieving or give hope to the people,” Obi said, lamenting the absence of empathy from the country’s leadership.

Global Examples of True Leadership: India and South Africa

Drawing comparisons with international standards, Obi cited the actions of world leaders:

• In India, after a devastating plane crash killed nearly 200 people, the Prime Minister personally visited the scene within hours.

• In South Africa, following severe floods that claimed 78 lives, President Cyril Ramaphosa went to affected communities to console victims and take responsibility.

“That is leadership with compassion,” Obi said. “That is leadership that understands the value of human life.”

Opposition Message: Nigeria Needs a Real Leader, Not Just a President

The Labour Party standard bearer maintained that Nigeria’s core problem is not merely the absence of leadership, but the election of individuals who lack the capacity, competence, integrity, and human empathy to lead a diverse and suffering nation.

“Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader. Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue,” Obi concluded.

Obi ended his message with the reaffirmation of his popular slogan: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”