Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for his upcoming trip to Japan and Brazil, emphasizing that it showcases a troubling pattern of neglect toward the pressing issues facing Nigeria.
On Thursday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, revealed that Tinubu would embark on a two-nation trip, which includes a stopover in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), before heading to Japan. Tinubu has made several trips abroad since his election in 2023, visiting countries like the UK and France, a trend that has raised eyebrows amid Nigeria’s ongoing challenges.
Obi expressed concern that these frequent travels reflect a lack of commitment to addressing the dire state of affairs in Nigeria. He pointed out that Tinubu previously spent a week in Saint Lucia ahead of the recent BRICS summit, where Nigeria participated only as an observer, highlighting the disconnection between foreign engagements and local responsibilities.
“Amid the deplorable state of our nation, we have a President who appears indifferent and continues to exhibit insensitivity to our plight,” Obi stated on X. He questioned the logic behind Tinubu returning to Brazil shortly after a previous visit while a myriad of issues at home remain unresolved.
The former Anambra governor highlighted the president’s upcoming itinerary, which shows he will depart Abuja on August 14 for his trip, with events in Japan scheduled from August 20 to 22. However, Obi noted that the itinerary lacks a return date, raising concerns about Tinubu’s prolonged absence from a nation in distress.
He asserted, “Our President has not deemed it necessary to visit any of our troubled states while he finds joy in frequent travels abroad, often departing days before scheduled events.” Highlighting the severity of Nigeria’s insecurity and economic challenges, Obi noted that the country ranks among the most insecure and fragile economies worldwide.
Obi urged the president to focus his energy on visiting communities within Nigeria and taking decisive actions to alleviate the suffering of citizens, instead of attending “overseas conferences” that yield little tangible benefit. He recommended that if foreign travel is necessary, it could be efficiently completed within a few days, rather than incurring “unnecessary absences” from a country that requires constant leadership presence.
“What Nigeria needs now is security, economic stability, and ensuring our people have food on their tables,” he remarked. He suggested that Tinubu’s planned 12-day trip could have been condensed to five days, considering the timing of events in Japan.
“Nigeria deserves competent leadership that embodies empathy and is dedicated to tackling pressing issues,” he added. Obi called for the president to undertake tours of troubled states, akin to his enthusiasm for foreign travel, enabling him to better understand the realities faced by Nigerians.
“Most importantly, the President must recognize that he is not a tourist but the Chief Executive of a nation in crisis. He needs to maintain a disciplined work and travel schedule that reflects the urgent challenges at home that demand his attention.”