By Muhammad Mamman
Former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he calls a pattern of “insensitivity” to Nigeria’s mounting economic and security challenges, as the president embarks on yet another international trip. Obi, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, accused Tinubu of prioritizing foreign engagements over addressing the nation’s deepening crises.
According to a statement from the Presidency, Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday for a multi-nation tour, including stops in Dubai, Japan, and Brazil. The itinerary includes attending the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama from August 20-22. However, the schedule notably omits a return date, raising concerns about the duration of the president’s absence.
In a fiery post on his verified X account titled “Again our President moves as the Nation bleeds,” Obi lambasted Tinubu’s frequent travels, noting that the president has spent over 200 of his 806 days in office abroad. “How can anyone explain that a President who recently returned from Brazil is heading back to the same country, leaving unresolved challenges at home?” Obi questioned.
Nigeria is grappling with soaring insecurity, economic hardship, and widespread hunger, ranking among the world’s most fragile economies. Obi argued that Tinubu’s focus should be on visiting troubled regions within Nigeria to address these issues directly, rather than attending international conferences that offer “little or no tangible value” to the nation.
The criticism comes on the heels of Tinubu’s recent week-long state visit to St. Lucia and attendance at the BRICS Summit, where Nigeria was merely an observer. Obi contrasted Tinubu’s prolonged absences with the brief visits of leaders from BRICS member nations, who arrived just days before the summit.
“Our nation demands competent leadership with compassion,” Obi said, urging Tinubu to limit unnecessary travel and prioritize domestic tours to engage with citizens facing dire circumstances. “Nigerians want to see tireless commitment to solving our problems, not a president who appears to be a tourist.”
