Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, has lambasted President Bola Tinubu for spending 196 days abroad in 2025, in the face of extreme hunger and insecurity in the country.
Mr Obi, in apost on his X handle on Monday, said Nigeria is grappling with one of the hungriest populations globally, staggering insecurity, an unemployment rate exceeding 80 million among the youth, and one of the worst places to be born, with infant mortality rates worse than those of a nation seven times its size.
Yet, he said the President spent 196 days abroad in 2025 alone—more than he has spent within his own country, at a time when the country was facing a profound crisis. Adding that since December 2025, Nigerians have not heard a word from their President.
“Reportsindicate he opted for a holiday in Europe while the nation was plunged into aNew Year marked by hunger, anxiety, and uncertainty. There was no New Year address, no national broadcast, no leadership voice to provide reassurance orguidance. This lack of presence starkly contrasts with what we see incomparable developing nations where leaders step up in times of crisis,” he said.
Obi mentioned thatsince U.S. military strikes in Nigeria, the President has remained silent. Noting that instead of directly addressing the nation, “Nigerians learned about these critical events from foreign media, American officials, and the vague communications from the Presidency’s aidesknown for their propaganda, rather than from their own leader. This is notgovernance; it’s neglect.”
He said the President was seen abroad yet again for another summit while remaining absent from his own country when he is needed the most.
Obi alleged that earlier this year, the President sent an AI-generated image to the nation instead of addressing his people face-to-face.
“Are we tobelieve Nigeria is being governed, or is it merely being managed from elsewhere? Leadership is not simply issuing press releases; it’s about standing before the people, engaging with them, and offering clarity.
“We are notasking for perfection; we demand presence. Nigerians are eager to hear fromtheir President through direct media briefings. They deserve to understand thestate of their country. You cannot run Nigeria like a personal business or aprivate club; it is imperative to rebuild and grow our economy through unityand clarity,” he noted.
While stating that progress was impossible without unity and consensus, and it begins with strong leadership that sets the tone, Obi noted that no policy, reform,economic plan, or security measure could thrive in a divided nation. Saying that “when leadership withdraws, unity falters, and the fabric of our society unravels under the weight of mistrust and division.”
“In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it isperilous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure,” he added.
