Reactions have continued to trail the visit of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to Yelwata community in Benue State, where at least 271 people were reportedly killed by terrorists.
Obi visited the community on Wednesday after attending a town hall meeting in Makurdi, the state capital, ahead of the January 16 election.
During the visit, the former Anambra State governor laid a wreath at a memorial erected in honour of victims of the June 2025 massacre. The visit came after two previous unsuccessful attempts to reach the community.
A video circulating on social media showed Obi kneeling before the cenotaph and offering prayers in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the attack.
However, his visit has generated mixed reactions, particularly among political figures, with some critics describing the gesture as a calculated political move aimed at winning support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, criticised the visit, describing it as political drama designed to solicit votes.
In a post on his Facebook page, Adeyanju wrote: “Nigeria politicians are clowns! See the drama king in Benue all because of election and votes.”
Similarly, Ossai Vie Success, a media aide to the Delta State Governor, expressed disappointment over Obi’s conduct during the visit.
Success accused the NDC presidential candidate of acting out a political script, questioning the timing and sincerity of his gesture at the memorial.
In his Facebook post, he wrote: “I am disappointed in Peter Obi for kneeling at the Yelwata memorial monument in Benue because of the election.
“See Peter Obi kneeling like he cares about the people. The Peter Obi drama is disappointing. Who is writing the script for him? Because I am disappointed”.
The controversy has further fuelled discussions on social media about the role of politicians in responding to insecurity, commemorating victims of violence and engaging with affected communities, particularly during election periods.
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