Former senator Shehu Sani has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to physically visit Mokwa, Niger State, where devastating flash floods recently claimed the lives of over 150 people and left thousands displaced.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the outspoken former lawmaker called on both the head of the government and the opposition leader to show leadership and empathy by visiting the affected town, walking through the muds and ruins left behind by the floods, and offering condolences to grieving families.
“Over 150 people perished in Mokwa’s flash floods. Mokwa is in Niger State, neighbouring Abuja,” Sani wrote. “The highway launched by the Government was great, the book launched by the opposition was good… but they both should visit Mokwa.”
He urged Tinubu to meet with the widows, widowers, and orphans of Mokwa and console them personally, emphasizing that leadership must be more than symbolic gestures.
“Leaders should demonstrate empathy. That is humanity. God bless Nigeria.”
The tragedy in Mokwa followed torrential rains that began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday, overwhelming the town’s infrastructure and leading to massive destruction of homes and livelihoods.
While national attention has focused on high-profile infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sani’s remarks highlight the growing demand for compassionate governance in the face of rising humanitarian crises across Nigeria.
