Prominent activist and Bring Back Our Girls co-convener Aisha Yesufu has demanded that the Nigerian Senate commence impeachment proceedings against President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of showing indifference to the ongoing killings in Benue State.
Yesufu’s call comes following the latest attack in Yelewata community, where suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault around 10:00 pm on Friday, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. The Benue State Police Command confirmed that tactical units engaged the attackers in gunfire during the early hours of Saturday.
The activist expressed outrage over what she described as the President’s conspicuous silence and absence from the affected region, despite the severity of the attack. She contrasted this with Tinubu’s quick response to international tragedies, specifically his condolence message to India following a recent plane crash that claimed over 200 lives.
“Tinubu condoled with India and not with Benue,” Yesufu wrote on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting what she sees as misplaced priorities by the Nigerian leader.
In a scathing critique, she accused the President of callousness toward Nigerian lives. “Tinubu is sitting down there gloating over the deaths of Nigerians whose mandate he truncated to occupy the office of the C-in-C,” Yesufu stated, referencing ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of the 2023 presidential election.
The activist questioned the focus of national political discourse, suggesting that more attention should be directed toward holding the President accountable for Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation rather than party politics.
“Instead of Tinubu’s impeachment to be the topic of discussion, who is supposed to own a political party is the main topic!” she declared, appearing to reference recent political developments and defections within the All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls Benue State.
Yesufu’s comments reflect growing frustration among civil society activists over the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the farmer-herder conflicts that have claimed thousands of lives in Benue and other Middle Belt states over the years.
The Yelewata attack represents the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Benue State, despite various government interventions and peace initiatives. The state has been particularly affected by clashes between farmers and herders, often resulting in significant loss of life and displacement of communities.
President Tinubu has yet to respond to Yesufu’s impeachment call or issue any statement regarding the Benue incident. His administration has generally maintained that security agencies are working to address the various challenges facing the country.
The activist’s demand for impeachment proceedings reflects broader concerns about presidential accountability and responsiveness to citizens’ welfare, particularly in times of crisis. However, impeachment proceedings in Nigeria require significant legislative support and constitutional grounds, making such calls largely symbolic unless backed by substantial political momentum.
Yesufu, known for her vocal criticism of successive Nigerian governments, has consistently advocated for greater accountability from political leaders and has been particularly critical of responses to security crises affecting ordinary Nigerians.
