Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has asserted that the frequent travel of President Bola Tinubu out of Nigeria, shows that the country is not conducive for a long stay for him.
Mr. Obi who made the claim in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, said the situation should be a concern to everyone.
“From all indications, our President is not finding his home in Nigeria conducive for a long stay, and it should be concerning to us,” he said.
President Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-Day working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.
Going by his travel itinerary, the President would spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.
Reacting to the development, Obi said: “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.
“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.”
He said the president travelled out of the country, meanwhile, at least 79% of Nigerians are facing food insecurity, and over 180 million people are 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,” he added.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party said, the country deserves a president with all hands on deck to solve these issues.
He noted that across Nigeria, last month alone while Mr. President was on one of his many trips, over 50 people were killed in the horrifying mosque and village attack in Katsina State, with over 60 people kidnapped, exclusive of the many bandit attacks and kidnappings just last month.
Obi said 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 citizens, women and young children, died in a boat mishap with many more still missing. However, the President travelled without visiting the victims.
Saying: “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,” Obi noted.
He said at a time when Nigerians need leadership, empathy, and presence, a President should not choose foreign holidays. Noting that true leadership is about sacrifice and the ability to improve healthcare, invest in quality education, pull millions out of poverty, and guarantee the security of every citizen.
