School children lined up on the roads in the rain to welcome President Bola Tinubu ahead of his visit to Benue State on Wednesday.

Tinubu announced he would visit Benue on Wednesday, following the attack on Yelwata, a community in the Guma Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday.

In a video shared by News Central, school children were seen in their school uniforms chanting the national anthem. It was raining, yet the children stood, braving the unfavorable weather conditions to welcome the President to the state.

A day before his visit, a circular bearing the signature of the state governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Groups Mobilisation, inviting colourful special groups to give Tinubu a rousing welcome, went viral on social media.

After receiving backlash over the circular, the governor’s aide denied releasing it. The Governor had also declared a public holiday ahead of Tinubu’s visit.

In another video that went viral on Tuesday night up until early Wednesday morning, banners that bore felicitation messages welcoming Tinubu to Benue State lined the roads.

This series of events has spurred reactions from Nigerians who have berated the Benue State Government for planning a joyful welcome for Tinubu while the state is in mourning.

Many Nigerians have accused them of being insensitive and prioritising political endorsement over improving security in the state.