President Bola Tinubu made his grand entrance in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday, stepping into the flood-ravaged city with all the fanfare you’d expect from a high-profile visit. Arriving at 3:40 p.m, Tinubu immediately set off for an emergency camp to extend his sympathies to the flood victims. Because nothing says “we care” like a visit from the top brass, right?
At the camp, Tinubu tried to lift spirits with a promise that his government will lend support. “I want to assure you that we are going to support you, we will support you. God Bless you,” he declared, probably hoping that these words would magically fix the devastation. But let’s face it, comforting words are no substitute for action.
Joining Tinubu were several notable figures: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, and a slew of other aides. It seems that when disaster strikes, the usual suspects show up to make sure their presence is noted.
Over at the Maiduguri Air Force Base, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who had already been in town inspecting police facilities affected by the floods, was on hand to greet the President. The base also welcomed several governors, including Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Bala Mohammed, Ahmed Ododo, and Ahmed Aliyu.
Meanwhile, Maiduguri itself was not exactly rolling out the red carpet. Heavy rain continued to pound the city, adding to the misery. Tinubu had just flown back from China and the UK, but it seems his timing was off, or perhaps the weather just wanted to make a statement.
The situation on the ground is dire. Officials reported on Wednesday that the flooding in Maiduguri has claimed at least 30 lives and displaced around 400,000 people. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesperson Ezekiel Manzo confirmed the grim figures, noting that an overflowing dam had turned thousands of homes into floating debris. “The situation in Maiduguri is quite frightening,” added NEMA’s Zubaida Umar, who went on to warn that the number of displaced could reach one million. The UN refugee agency chimed in with a bleak reminder that this is the worst flooding the city has seen in three decades.
In a recent chat with Channels Television, Governor Babagana Zulum admitted the total death toll remains unknown. His office is struggling to reach inaccessible areas, and while some rescue operations have been successful, many areas remain cut off. Zulum also blamed the neglect of the dam for exacerbating the disaster, promising that repairs will be prioritized. “We have to quantify the loss of lives that has happened as a result of this flooding,” he said, echoing the frustration of many who are still waiting for the promised help to materialize.
Tinubu’s visit to Maiduguri is yet another example of political leaders showing up after the fact, offering words of comfort while the real work of recovery and support remains to be seen. As the floodwaters continue to recede, the real question will be whether the promises made will translate into meaningful assistance or if they will be lost in the deluge of political rhetoric.
