Theater Over Empathy in Benue
Ahead of my appearance on your program, I made a point to review the footage from Benue, particularly President Buhari's visit in 2018. I also listened to the Governor's address and, most significantly, the compelling words of the Tor Tiv. My conclusion, reached swiftly, is that it would have been preferable if the President had not visited at all.
The only genuinely impactful words, the only account truly worthy of anyone's time, came from the Tor Tiv. He spoke extensively and eloquently to the grim reality of the situation in Benue and the profound pain of the victims. In stark contrast, the President's address offered mere glimpses into his own preoccupations and the concerns of his aides and assistants.
Recall February 2018, when President Buhari journeyed to Benue. His team meticulously ensured a red carpet awaited him as he disembarked his limousine in Daudu. They understood precisely what mattered to the President, staging the necessary "theater" with an eye toward the 2019 elections. The brutal deaths of over 200 people seemed to count for little more than a passing mention. One could have been forgiven for believing it was solely a political gathering, with the President himself framing the problem as a political one requiring a political solution.
I commend the Tor Tiv for his unwavering resolve, particularly in the face of what can only be described as comical, almost dystopian clapping. This disturbing display revealed a societal reality where, despite over 200 people being brutally murdered and burned in their homes, some still found it appropriate to applaud everything and anything – a reaction that challenges one's very sanity. Regrettably, this is the reality we confront.
