As Buhari visits Benue...

Mass burial for farmers massacred by herdsmen in Benue state.

On Monday, March 12th,  president Muhammadu Buhari will pay a state visit to Benue state in Nigeria's middle belt region.This was confirmed by the state Governor, Samuel Orton recently, adding that PMB's visit is not unconnected with the recent killings in the state.. This is in continuation of the president pilgrimage to commiserate with  States affected by mainly the herdmens massacre.
Before scheduling this visit, the president had been to Taraba and Plateau States. But many are wondering what the true motive of PMB is, with these visits, is it to really commiserate with the victims of these attacks or to further his political hold of the presidency?

As the constitution clearly stipulates, the primary responsibility of the Government of Nigeria is to guarantee the safety and protection of all her citizens. And as the commander in chief of the armed forces, no one bears that responsibility more than the president. Both on a legal and societal angle, PMB is seen and regarded as the father of the nation. And like every father, his actions ( and inactions) are always perceived to have significant importance in the scheme of affairs

So it was no surprise when virtually every section of the nation began to vent their frustration at the perceived lack of concern by the president earlier in the year when the herdsmen went on rampage, killing and destroying farmlands of innocent farmers in several states of the federation. Citizens were further angered when the president visited some of these affected states like Kaduna, to commission projects without as much as paying condolences to the affected communities. Of course his media aids tried their best to douse the tension by offering explanations as to why he failed to visit these areas.

Many months after, the president has decided to pay the much anticipate visits to these troubled States. But one may ask, is it too little too late? What exactly does Aso Rock hope to gain from these tours? In the aftermath of his two previous visits to Taraba and then Plateau, instead of the much needed peace, these States where greeted with more attacks, causing more deaths and agony to the people.
Another angle to these visits, is the upcoming general elections scheduled to hold in less than a year's time. It is instructive to note that virtually all states plagued by the herdsmen menace today are controlled by the APC, and her indigenes voted massively for the party at all levels during the last general election. It is of the opinion of many that the the primary objective of the president is simply to regain his already weaning popularity among the people. Once again, one might ask, is too little too late for Mr. President? Only time will decide.