The Apostolic Round Table, a prominent civic and faith-based platform, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent remarks on the escalating violence in Benue State, accusing the presidency of mischaracterising ongoing killings as communal conflict rather than what they describe as “genocide.”
In a press statement signed by its convener, Apostle Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi, ART expressed “deep dismay and utter disappointment” over President Tinubu’s description of the Benue violence as “senseless bloodletting,” warning that such framing dangerously downplays the severity and targeted nature of the attacks.
“The President’s description of the crisis as a communal conflict is not only inaccurate but grossly irresponsible,” the statement read. “What is unfolding in Benue State is not a clash between communities. It is a systematic and targeted genocide, carried out by well-armed terrorists against indigenous populations — with alarming levels of official inaction.”
ART took particular issue with Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to “arrest perpetrators on all sides,” arguing that it draws a false equivalence between aggressors and victims. “Equating invaders with those defending their homes emboldens the perpetrators and erases the lived experiences of the victims,” Apostle Akinyemi stated.
He also condemned the government’s repeated calls for “dialogue and reconciliation,” calling them tone-deaf in light of the brutality faced by affected communities. “You cannot negotiate with killers who still wield machetes. You cannot speak of reconciliation when entire communities have been turned into mass graves,” he said.
Describing the President’s approach as a betrayal of his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief, the ART convener accused Tinubu of either being “ignorant of the underlying issues” or “engaging in dangerous political mischief by feigning neutrality in the face of evil.”
In a strong call to action, ART outlined four key demands: Immediate military deployment to secure affected communities in Benue with clear directives to protect civilian lives. Public identification and prosecution of known perpetrators and their financiers.
Others are; A nationwide security address from the President, outlining a concrete and time-bound plan to end violence in the Middle Belt. An end to false narratives in government communication that equate terrorist attacks with communal disputes.
“Benue does not need sympathy or another committee. Benue needs protection — now,” the group declared.
Apostle Akinyemi warned that should the government continue to respond to mass killings with “press releases instead of decisive action,” the Apostolic Round Table will initiate a nationwide civic and prophetic movement to demand accountability.
“History will not remember leaders for the speeches they made, but for the blood they allowed to be spilled under their watch,” he concluded. “Mr. President, it is time to act like the Commander-in-Chief Nigerians elected you to be.”
