Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has taken a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his frequent foreign travels, accusing him of neglecting Nigerians at a time of worsening insecurity, poverty, and hardship.
In a strongly worded statements, Obi said it was “concerning” that the President appears to find Nigeria unconducive for a long stay, noting that Mr. Tinubu has spent a significant portion of his two years in office traveling abroad, mostly on holidays.
Obi pointed out that just six days after returning from a 15-day foreign engagement, the President departed again — this time for what he described as his annual holiday in France, which marks at least his tenth trip to the country since assuming office.
“It does look like Mr. President is running away from Nigeria at every slight opportunity. 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 stated.
The former Anambra governor expressed worry that while Tinubu prioritizes foreign trips, Nigerians are grappling with dire conditions. He cited recent reports that 79% of Nigerians — over 180 million people — face food insecurity, while international rankings have labeled Nigeria the worst country to give birth and the worst place to live, with the lowest life expectancy globally.
Obi also faulted the President’s absence in moments of national tragedy. He lamented that during Tinubu’s recent return, he failed to visit victims of the Katsina mosque and village attack, where over 50 people were killed and 60 kidnapped, or console families in Niger State, where 60 women and children died in a boat mishap.
“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?” Obi queried.
He stressed that true leadership is about sacrifice, empathy, and presence, urging Tinubu to prioritize governance over foreign holidays.
“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,” Obi said, adding that “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
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