The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has once again taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, openly criticising what he described as the president’s habitual foreign holidays at a time when Nigeria is drowning under the weight of multiple crises — ranging from insecurity and hunger to worsening economic hardship and decaying social systems.
In a lengthy statement released on his X handle on Friday morning, the former Anambra State governor painted a grim picture of the current state of the nation, lamenting how the president appears more comfortable in foreign lands, particularly in France, than in Nigeria where he was elected to govern. Obi accused Tinubu of abandoning the very people he swore to serve, choosing instead to prioritise frequent international trips that he described as “escapes from reality.”
“From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and this should greatly concern us as citizens,” Obi wrote, stressing that leadership demands presence, empathy, and sacrifice. He noted with dismay that Tinubu jetted off on yet another holiday abroad less than one week after returning from a 15-day stay overseas, which was publicly tagged as a five-day official engagement. Obi further disclosed that this latest trip marks the president’s 10th visit to France in just two years, raising questions about the true motives behind these incessant journeys.
“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 declared.
The LP flagbearer did not stop at criticising Tinubu’s absence; he went on to highlight the severe consequences of such absentee leadership. He linked the president’s prolonged absence to the lack of effective response to urgent national crises such as food insecurity, extreme poverty, rising cost of living, growing insecurity, and deteriorating healthcare. Obi cited heartbreaking recent tragedies, including the killing of over 50 worshippers during a mosque and village attack in Katsina State, the abduction of dozens of people by heavily armed bandits, and a deadly boat mishap in Niger State that claimed the lives of at least 60 citizens.
“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. True leadership is not about convenience; it is about sacrifice,” Obi questioned, criticising the lack of empathy shown by the presidency in the face of widespread suffering.
Obi further stressed that the Nigerian people deserve a leader who will stand with them in difficult times, not one who seeks refuge in luxury and comfort abroad. He argued that the president’s duty goes beyond sitting in office; it includes showing compassion, being physically present with victims of tragedies, and working tirelessly to find solutions to the nation’s challenges.
“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. Leadership is not about running away from problems but about confronting them head-on,” Obi said.
The former governor concluded his remarks with a renewed call for transformational leadership in Nigeria, emphasising that what the nation needs now is sacrifice, investments in healthcare, affordable education, genuine poverty reduction strategies, and strong security architecture that protects every citizen. He ended his statement with his signature note of optimism, insisting that despite current hardships, “A New Nigeria is POssible.”