All eyes are on Benue state as President Muhammadu Buhari visits today, in continuation of his planned visit to five states with security challenges. The five states are Taraba, Benue, Yobe, Rivers and Zamfara.

President Buhari had been severally criticized for not visiting Benue state aftermath of the killing of the 73 persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Those killed were buried in mass grave.

What makes the President’s visit a national event, is the reactions that have trailed the killings and the delayed and cold response from the Government of President Buhari. This led to the trading of words between the state and the federal government both of which are controlled by the same political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since the killings, Benue has been receiving unusual visitors from both the APC controlled-states as well as from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). One of such unusual visitor was Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state who last year exchanged bitter words with Governor Ortom of Benue state over the security situations in their respective states.

In what was a tit for tat situation, the two Governors had called for state of emergency declaration in their respective states.
Seventy-two hours ahead of President Buhari’s visit, former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Benue state and even went to the mass grave site to pay his homage to the departed victims of the suspected herdsmen killings.

During the visit, the former president expressed sadness over the gruesome murder of Benue people in their homes by the herdsmen, saying it was shocking.

The Governor led him straight to the graveside of the Benue 73 who were massacred by herdsmen on New Year Day in Logo and Guma local government areas of the state located at Genabe village.

The former President said he was in the state to pay a condolence visit and to express his sorrow over the killings.

Though President Buhari is scheduled to meet with stakeholders in the state, it is not yet confirmed if he would also be visiting the burial site to pay his last respect or if he would be visiting any of the victims’ families.