Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for embarking on a European vacation, questioning the President’s priorities amid worsening crises in Nigeria.
The Presidency confirmed on Thursday that Tinubu began his 2025 annual leave, a 10-working-day vacation to be spent in France and the United Kingdom.
The trip comes barely a week after the President returned from a 15-day official visit to Japan and Brazil.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Obi expressed frustration over Tinubu’s repeated foreign travels, describing it as a disturbing pattern for a leader in the midst of national challenges.
“Our President seems increasingly uncomfortable staying in Nigeria for extended periods,” Obi wrote.
“Barely six days after returning from a 15-day trip, he jets off again — this time, on holiday. This marks what appears to be his 10th visit to France in just two years.”
Obi highlighted worsening socio-economic and security conditions in the country, stating that leadership demands full-time commitment , not absenteeism.
“Over 79% of Nigerians are facing food insecurity — that’s nearly 180 million people living in hunger. Nigeria was just ranked the worst country to give birth and among the worst places to live, with the lowest life expectancy globally.”
He also condemned Tinubu’s failure to visit areas recently affected by tragedies. Obi pointed to the Katsina State attacks that left over 50 dead and 60 kidnapped and the recent boat tragedy in Niger State, which claimed 60 lives, mostly women and children.
“Why didn’t the President visit Niger State, just 30 minutes away by air from Abuja, to show solidarity with grieving families before flying out on vacation?”
Calling for empathy and active leadership, Obi said:
“Where is the compassion? At a time when Nigerians are dying, no vacation should take precedence. Leadership is sacrifice, and it demands presence, not distance.”
