“Flood, Fury, And Forced Smiles”: Schoolchildren Made To Stand In Rain To Welcome Tinubu Amid Benue Mourning

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Benue State on Wednesday descended into controversy, as his convoy waded through flooded highways along the Lafia–Makurdi Road, and reports emerged that schoolchildren were forced to line the streets under heavy rain to welcome him — just days after the mass killing of over 200 people in Yelewata, Guma LGA.

The President’s long-awaited visit came amid mounting criticism over his silence following the deadly attacks by suspected herdsmen. But instead of offering a solemn show of empathy, the visit was marred by what many Nigerians have described as insensitive political theater.

Despite the day being declared a public holiday, children in Makurdi were reportedly ordered to stand along flooded roads to wave at the presidential motorcade. In widely shared videos by Centreal TV and TVC, the President’s black SUVs were seen splashing muddy water on rain-soaked pupils as they stood in disciplined rows by the roadside.

“This is sickening,” activist Oduala wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Young students in Makurdi have been asked to stand on the roads to welcome Tinubu in the rain, with cars splashing water on them — after the death of 200+ Nigerians in Benue. The problem isn’t just the leaders. It’s also the governed who enable this.”

Though TVC footage showed the convoy struggling through submerged roads, it remains unclear if President Tinubu was in the vehicle at the time.

Online and offline, Nigerians condemned the visit’s optics, calling it a tone-deaf display during a humanitarian tragedy. Many slammed both the presidency and the Benue State Government for what they viewed as political grandstanding at the expense of human dignity.

“This man lacks empathy, goodwill, and any true sense of leadership,” one social media user wrote. “And the leaders of Benue State are nothing but sycophants bowing shamelessly even in the face of genocide.”

Health and safety concerns were also raised, as critics questioned the rationale behind exposing children to cold, rain, and the risk of accidents on flooded roads.

“What if an SUV skids off the road? Or one of the children catches pneumonia? But it’s clear the lives of the poor don’t matter in this country,” another critic posted.

The incident has rekindled national outrage over leadership priorities and the persistent use of children in orchestrated political displays — particularly during moments that demand empathy and humility.

As of the time of reporting, neither the Presidency nor the Benue State Government had issued an official response to the growing backlash.