The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for embarking on another foreign trip, accusing him of abandoning Nigerians at a time of national crisis.
On Thursday, the Presidency announced that Tinubu had commenced a 10-day working vacation in Europe, marking the start of his 2025 annual leave. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president will spend the period between France and the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave. The vacation will last 10 working days. President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country,” the statement read.
The trip comes barely a week after Tinubu returned from a two-week official visit to Japan and Brazil.
Reacting on Friday via his X handle, Obi condemned the president’s frequent foreign travels, questioning his commitment to governance at home.
“From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and it should be concerning to us. Just yesterday, for the umpteenth time, Mr. President waved the nation goodbye again, barely 6 days after his return to Nigeria, after he spent 15 whole days for just a five-day engagement,” Obi wrote.
“He is now heading for about his 10th trip to France in two years, this time for his annual holiday. It does look like Mr. President is running away from Nigeria at every slight opportunity. And one would wonder why so much of his two years in office has been spent on holidays or away from the very country he was elected to preside over.”
Obi further criticised the president’s absence in the face of mounting insecurity, hunger, and tragedies across the country.
“Meanwhile, at least 79% of Nigerians have been reported to be facing food insecurity, that is over 180 million people facing hunger. Nigeria, just last month, was declared the worst country to give birth, and just weeks ago, the worst place to live, with the world’s worst life expectancy.
“We deserve a president with all hands on deck to solve these issues. Across Nigeria, last month alone while Mr. President was on one of his very many trips, over 50 people were killed in the horrifying mosque and village attack in Katsina State, with over 60 people kidnapped,” he said.
Obi also faulted Tinubu for not visiting states affected by tragedies before leaving the country again.
“One would have expected that the president would at least visit one of these states when he arrived 6 days ago, or at least visit Niger State where just yesterday, 60 of our citizens, women and young children, died in a boat mishap with many more still missing.
“What would it have taken the president to take a less than 30-minute trip to Niger State from Abuja in his jet? Mr. President could have at least visited the grieving families in Niger before jetting off again.
“Where is the compassion for Nigerian lives, Mr. President? How many more need to die for you to preside over the country? No holiday is more important than the Nigerian lives you swore to protect. At a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays.”
He concluded that true leadership requires “sacrifice and the ability to improve healthcare, invest in quality education, pull millions out of poverty, and guarantee the security of every citizen.”
