The visit of President Bola Tinubu to Benue State has stirred controversy, with reports alleging that innocent schoolchildren were ordered to line up along the streets of Makurdi, particularly along the president’s route—under the rain to welcome him.
This development has sparked widespread criticism, especially as today had been declared a public holiday by Governor Hyacinth Alia, who also mobilized political support groups to come out en masse in colorful attire to receive the president.
Many Benue citizens have taken to social media to question why students appeared in school uniforms if schools were not in session due to the declared holiday.
Earlier, DAILY POST reported that heavy flooding had affected the Makurdi–Lafia–Abuja highway, stranding motorists and passengers. The route, a key corridor into Makurdi, forced many travelers to either delay their trips or seek safer locations.
Social media users voiced their anger, condemning the alleged decision to involve children in the welcome event under hazardous weather conditions.
Áondosoo Lábè posted (in part): “Whoever gave this Satanic directive clearly has no regard for the well-being and safety of these poor children. The person responsible for this order should be held accountable. They should be sacked from their position and prosecuted for putting the lives of these children at risk.”
Another user, Clement Nyiehur, shifted part of the blame to parents: “The larger portion of blame should go to the parents/guardians who allowed their children/wards to go out in their uniform despite a public holiday declared by the State govt for today and made those children available for use in the rain. In my household, no one did ‘pim’ about school today. Full stop.”
This incident comes just days after the tragic massacre of over 200 people in Yelwata, as President Tinubu visits the State Capital to commiserate with the victims of the attacks today.
